USA, Colorado:

Geothermal Leaps Forward With Partnership, $3.8 Million Grant (Pagosa Springs Sun)

Pagosa Springs (Courtesy Pagosa Springs Tourism)

The burgeoning geothermal industry in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, took a significant step forward this week, with the final signature placed on an agreement that officially creates a public-private partnership to further explore geothermal resources in Archuleta County.

More specifically, the agreement, which was approved unanimously by Archuleta County Tuesday, Jan. 14, creates a water authority between the Town of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County.

A 1980 study suggested that there is 200 degree water at two thousand feet down, but at that time geothermal power generation technology required 300+ degree water.

GRC member Jerry Smith of Pagosa Verde, LLC is one of the champions who have been actively advancing geothermal research in the Pagosa Springs area. Smith said that geothermal heat technology has improved greatly over the years—in fact; in 2007, 165 degree water was successfully used to make power.