Oregon Public Broadcasting

The federal Department of Interior is throwing open the gates for geothermal energy development on Western public lands. 

Areas newly opened for geothermal drilling include national forest in the Washington and Oregon Cascades that’s not classified as wilderness.  Also included are lava lands outside LaPine, and along the John Day River.  Correspondent Tom Banse has more.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne says the federal government wants to move aggressively to increase renewable energy production on public lands.  

Geothermal electric generating turbines at Raft River, Idaho.

Geothermal plants make electricity using steam generated from deep wells near volcanic hot spots.

The former Idaho governor announced that 79 million acres of National Forest and 118 million acres owned by the Bureau of Land Management will become available for geothermal leasing.

Dirk Kempthorne: “I also want to add that states and counties gain an additional benefit from geothermal development because leases and royalties are shared with the states and counties where the leases are located.”

Kempthorne says energy companies will have to follow all existing environmental rules. 

His agency plans an initial lease sale in December.  That auction will include parcels in southern Idaho and central Oregon near Bend. 

Beyond that, it’s up to geothermal explorers to nominate specific places for future auctions.

Online:

Bureau of Land Management