Geothermal Could Supply Over 30,000 MW By 2025

But Budget Cuts Would Be Major Setback for New Development, GEA Testifies

Geothermal resources could supply over 30,000 MW of power by 2025, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) told the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee today. This would meet 6 percent of today's total U.S. electricity needs, and is equal to 100 percent of the electricity generated in California, Nevada and Idaho.

GEA pointed to substantial consumer and economic benefits from achieving this level of new, renewable power production. Besides providing reliable electric power at stable prices, the association argued it would also relieve pressure on spiraling natural gas prices by displacing substantial amounts of natural gas otherwise needed for power production. GEA projects new development will bring over $70 billion of new investment in the economy, producing 130,000 permanent full time jobs and stimulating significant construction and manufacturing employment.

But, GEA warned that proposals to close down federal research programs would cut this figure in half. They estimated that of the projected 30,000 MW, "one-half is highly dependent upon continued research and technological development supported through DOE's research program." "The loss of DOE's program would be a major setback to both the pace and extent to which we can expand our use of this important renewable energy resource," Karl Gawell, GEA's executive director, said.

The projections show a substantial expansion of geothermal power. Today, about 2,800 MW are in production in four states -- California, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii. GEA projects utility scale power production expanding to also include Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

In addition, GEA projects expansion of new distributed generation technologies and non-electric "direct uses" of geothermal resources by farms, businesses and communities. New projects involving these technologies involve some 24 states ranging from Hawaii to West Virginia.

It was estimated that this level of renewable power production would annually offset 266 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions compared to providing electricity from coal plants. GEA noted that this is equal to the annual CO2 emissions from 41 million automobiles -- 30 percent of all automobiles in use in 2003.

For a complete copy of GEA's statement submitted to the Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water Appropriations, contact GEA at 202- 454-5261, email research(At)geo-energy.org, or visit GEA's Web site at http://www.geo-energy.org.

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