Idaho is rich in geothermal energy, a clean and reliable source with great long-term potential. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that the energy content of America’s geothermal resource is equivalent to a staggering 30,000-year supply.
Of course all the natural heat under Earth’s surface can’t be reached, but DOE says geothermal has the potential to power to up to 100 million American homes. Geothermal is especially valuable because it provides baseload electricity more reliable than other renewables, like solar and wind.
Ninety percent of the commercially viable geothermal resources exist on federal lands, mostly in western states. But because of regulatory hurdles, the resource hasn’t reached its potential. That’s why I have introduced H.R. 4568, the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act, which passed the House Natural Resources Committee on a bipartisan voice vote this week.
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