Today (May 12), the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight field hearing on geothermal energy development on federal lands.
"In order to restore American energy dominance, we must utilize an all-of-the-above approach that includes geothermal energy. That's why I was proud to lead a field hearing today in Utah - which has some of the most abundant geothermal energy resources in the world - to discuss how we can tackle barriers to geothermal development. After today's event, the takeaway was clear: we can unlock geothermal development and reduce foreign energy dependence by addressing the burdensome federal leasing and permitting processes." - Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.)
"Utah is well positioned to be a leader in geothermal energy development. But as we heard at today's hearing, a complex permitting process continues to be the chief roadblock. If we can streamline permitting, we can unleash a critical piece of the renewable energy mix, create jobs, and achieve energy security. I'm thankful that my colleagues were willing to visit my district and have these critical conversations." - U.S. Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah)
Background
Geothermal power is a renewable energy resource that is derived by capturing heat from an underground reservoir or naturally generated steam under high pressure. Geothermal energy can be used for both electricity generation and heating applications. It is abundant in the Western U.S., where the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has authority over geothermal leasing on approximately 245 million acres of public lands, including 104 million acres of U.S. Forest Service lands.
It was the first type of renewable energy approved by BLM for production on public lands, with the first project approved in 1978. Today, 51 operating power plants produce geothermal energy from BLM-managed lands.
At today's hearing, witnesses shared their experiences regarding the challenges facing the geothermal industry as it seeks to expand on federal land. From the cumbersome federal leasing and permitting process to unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, geothermal developers encounter many hurdles in their efforts to assist the U.S. in meeting its growing domestic energy demand.
To find more information about the hearing, click here.
