Utilizing Federal Policy Documentation to Obtain Project-Level Water Data for Geothermal Energy Facilities

Abstract

Data concerning the planning and operation of geothermal energy facilities were collected from federal environmental policy documentation sources. These consisted primarily of Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) obtained by federal government agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and triggered by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The information contained in these documents represents a unique way of capturing project-level water data for geothermal energy projects that might not otherwise by readily available. Data collected included estimates of water usage during well drilling, sourcing of water for well drilling, well stimulation, and plant operation; and operational water usage information at the plant level. Together with work previously conducted by Argonne National Laboratory, this data can help improve and inform analysis of water consumption related to geothermal energy, as well as estimates of future regional water availability in the western United States.