To determine exactly how much potential the region has the Town of Whitecourt would like to commission a geothermal development feasibility study, funded through an Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) grant.
Mayor John Burrows said depending on the temperatures of the fluids contained in the underground rock and soil it could range from tapping into the source as a heat source, to warm buildings to creating electricity.
Economic development coordinator Bert Roach said that in his discussions with Town of Whitecourt economic development officer Ronda Hough the municipality has identified potential sites, including abandoned energy wells, in or close near the municipality that might have water suitable for geothermal applications.
He added the areas the original study which was conducted by Terrapin Geothermics, identified was a 10-kilometre radius around and including the Town of Whitecourt and the Hamlet of Fort Assiniboine.
