USA, New Mexico: Public Meetings on Possible Santa Fe Geothermal Energy Development

Officials weigh geothermal energy leases near Valles Caldera (Santa Fe New Mexican)

Officials said Monday that parts of the Santa Fe National Forest could be leased for exploration and development of geothermal energy as early as 2017.

The U.S. Geological Survey has identified 195,000 acres west and north of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Coyote, Jemez and Española ranger districts as having significant geothermal potential. And last week the Santa Fe National Forest released a statement draft on the environmental impact to help guide forest managers determine the viability of geothermal energy development on public lands.

“The big question right now,” said Larry Gore, a geologist with the Santa Fe National Forest, “Is there a resource north of the Caldera that could be developed? And that is completely unknown at this time.”

• Public meeting on a geothermal project in Jemez Pueblo, 6 p.m. to 7:30 Tuesday, July 19, Walatowa Visitor Center Conference Room, 7413 N.M. 4, Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024
• Public meeting on a geothermal project in El Rito, 6 p.m. to 7:30 Wednesday, July 20, Rio Arriba County Rural Events Center, 122-A N.M. 554, El Rito, NM 87530

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