USA: Forest Service Wants to Develop Geothermal Energy

Forest Service - Agency aims to boost geothermal, revise NEPA regs (E&E News)

In March, an executive order tasked U.S. federal agencies with pinpointing what actions hold back energy production on government soil.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service responded with a final report that recommended revising three regulations, five policies, four agreements with other agencies, one programmatic analysis and one order while rescinding part of another policy.

The Forest Service yesterday outlined 15 steps it could take to reach President Trump's goal of "energy dominance," placing a top priority on geothermal energy. Two of the three top priorities involved harnessing increased interest in geothermal development.

• The Forest Service wants to revise its memorandum of understanding with the Interior Department to clarify each agency's role and responsibility to streamline permitting.
• Another recommendation would require officials in national forests with high geothermal potential to consider geothermal leasing and development in their forest plans.

In FY 2016, geothermal resource production from NFS lands contributed over 360,000 megawatts of electricity, valued at over $22 million. This production generated over $650,000 of revenue for the United States Treasury.

USDA Final Report Pursuant to Executive Order 13783 on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth (PDF).........

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