Friday, November 11, 2016

Canada: Project to Use Geothermal Waters from Abandoned Mines Moves Ahead

Geothermal could be Springhill’s ticket to future (Cumberland News Now)

Politicians in Springhill are hoping they’ll finally be able to take advantage of their community’s expansive geothermal resources.

Geothermal energy is not new and this is not the first time Springhill has made an attempt to grasp the opportunity that its former mining infrastructure presents. For nearly 25 years, various attempts have been made to develop and market Springhill’s geothermal resources. While several companies have used geothermal energy with varied benefits, for some reason it has never become the drawing card many thought it would be when the first pipe was sunk into Springhill’s former mine shafts.

Earlier this week, the province took a step toward helping Springhill’s geothermal infrastructure grow by opening the way for a municipal geothermal program – a first for Nova Scotia. The province has given the town permission to operate its own geothermal program that will provide underground water as an efficient energy source.