USA, New Mexico:

Meeting Looks at Tapping the Jemez Mountains for Geothermal Power (The New Mexican)

Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 5:00 p.m., Santa Fe National Forest Headquarters, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87509

Some of the most promising areas in New Mexico for geothermal power are in the Santa Fe National Forest near the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

“The recreation area is not going to be touched,” Gore said. “We’ve tried to explain that, but people are still worried we’re about to sell whole Jemez to the highest bidder.”

One company, Ormat Nevada of Reno, Nevada, filed notice with the BLM expressing interest in leasing 46,000 acres on the north and northwest side of the Valles Caldera for geothermal energy exploration and development. The land is part of 195,000 acres within the Santa Fe National Forest that has “significant geothermal potential,” according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Santa Fe National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, which oversee geothermal leases on all federal lands, are hosting a public meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the geothermal leases.

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