USA, Oregon:

Ormat Plans Geothermal Test Wells Near Glass Buttes, Oregon (KTVZ.com)

The Prineville District, BLM is requesting public input (PDF) on a proposed project that would authorize the drilling, testing and monitoring geothermal exploratory wells on private and BLM-managed lands in Harney and Lake counties near Glass Buttes.

The area is south of Highway 20; 70 miles southeast of Bend and 50 miles northwest of Burns. If approved, the project would evaluate the potential of geothermal resources in the area.

The applicant, Ormat Nevada, Inc., proposes to drill up to 16 exploratory wells, each within a well pad ranging in size from 2-4 acres.

Each well pad would accommodate a drill rig and other structures related to the operation. Access to each pad would be through existing or new aggregate access roads off of Highway 20. If approved, the applicant would begin work late this summer.

The public is invited to review alternatives and provide input. The Midnight Point and Mahogany Geothermal Exploration Projects, Glass Buttes, Oregon Environmental Assessment is available online or by requesting a paper copy from the Prineville District Office at (541) 416-6700 or the Burns District Office at (541) 573-4400.

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