Geothermal: Leasing Woes Stall Industry Development, Even in Hotbeds (Environment & Energy Publishing)
Despite the bipartisan potential, geothermal leasing has declined in Nevada and nationwide in recent years, with Silver State sales bookending the demise of the energy source's leasing glory years.
In 2008, one sale of 35 Nevada parcels banked BLM a record $28.2 million in total revenue. Fast-forward to 2013, when BLM made only $42,870 all year on nine Nevada parcels.
What happened? For industry and BLM, it goes back to the age-old question of the chicken or the egg.
The geothermal industry blames the chicken -- years of regulation between exploration and power production -- for dissuading interest. But BLM points to the egg -- a lack of bids at recent geothermal lease auctions.
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