US DoI to expand geothermal energy on public lands

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced plans to boost geothermal energy development on public lands, supporting the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the Fervo Cape geothermal project in Beaver County, Utah, which is expected to generate up to 2 GW of baseload power using advanced technology.

The BLM has authorized nearly 32 GW of clean energy projects on public lands, including 42 projects under the current administration. BLM director Tracy Stone-Manning emphasized the importance of geothermal energy in achieving a clean energy future and introduced a proposed categorical exclusion (CX) to streamline the confirmation of geothermal resources, covering operations on up to 20 acres.

Currently, there are 51 operational geothermal plants on BLM-managed lands. To accelerate development, the BLM’s largest geothermal lease sale in over 15 years was recently held, highlighting the agency’s commitment to expanding geothermal resources, particularly in states like Nevada, which hold significant untapped potential.

Additionally, in January 2024, Enel Green Power North America sold its geothermal portfolio and several small solar plants in the US to Ormat Technologies.