USA, California:

Lawmakers Consider Ways to Boost Geothermal Energy (The Desert Sun)

Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, and Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez, D-Coachella, led a joint committee hearing Thursday in Sacramento focusing on the state’s geothermal potential, particularly in areas near the Salton Sea.

Geothermal Energy and the Salton Sea
(Photo: Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun)

Geothermal energy accounts for about 4 percent of California’s power supply, and some state lawmakers want to see that number grow by tapping more of the vast reservoir of hot water and steam around the Salton Sea.

Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, and Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez, D-Coachella, led a joint committee hearing Thursday in Sacramento focusing on the state’s geothermal potential, particularly in areas near the Salton Sea.

GRC Executive Director, Steve Ponder said “The Imperial Valley has the largest confirmed geothermal reservoirs in the USA. These reserves are generally considered by geothermal experts to be between 1500 MW and 2500 MWs. These estimates are orders of magnitude larger that any other geothermal potential  reserves in known geothermal areas in the USA.”

Mr. Ponder also presented a resolution from the GRC Board of Directors endorsing the Salton Sea Restoration and Renewable Energy Initiative.

“Only 50 percent of the total identified geothermal power in California is being utilized. Why is that number so low?” Hueso said, starting off the discussion.

Read More......