Biden gives geothermal a boost

by Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk - 10/18/24 6:34 PM ET

Energy & Environment

The Big Story

Biden administration gives geothermal energy a boost

The administration proposed this week to speed up approvals for geothermal energy projects by exempting them from early stage environmental reviews.

If the Bureau of Land Management finalizes its proposal, geothermal energy projects on public lands will no longer have to undergo environmental impact analysis for early stage confirmation that an area is suitable for geothermal activity.

Companies will still have to undergo environmental review to actually harness geothermal energy.

Geothermal power is produced from heat deep within the Earth. It is a climate-friendly energy source.

The Biden administration’s press release noted the proposal could bolster production in Nevada, a key swing state in the presidential race and home to some of the largest geothermal potential in the U.S.

In addition to the proposal, the administration has also approved a major geothermal energy project, Fervo Energy’s Cape Geothermal Power Project in Utah. This project could generate enough energy to power up to more than 2 million homes.

Read more at TheHill.com.

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