Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1--Geothermal Energy Exploration in the North Cascade Region, Washington State

Abstract

Snohomish County PUD No. 1 is the second largest publicly owned utility in the Pacific Northwest and the twelfth largest in the nation in terms of customers served. Snohomish PUD (the District) has a rapidly growing service load and an obligation to meet the Washington State renewable portfolio standard requirements. The District believes that geothermal energy development in the region is of substantial importance to meeting these challenges. While little to no geothermal exploration has occurred in the northern Cascade mountain range, it has long been recognized as a region of high potential -- the District’s territory encompasses a wide swath of this area. The District has recently worked with Black Mountain Technology to conduct a preliminary assessment of geothermal potential in/near Snohomish County. The results of the assessment are favorable and warrant continued activities to pursue both hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal system exploration and development.