Biden-Harris Administration Takes Major Steps to Accelerate Clean Energy Geothermal Development on Public Lands
Interior Department announces new leases and pioneering project approval; proposes simplified permitting
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
WASHINGTON The Department of the Interior today announced significant strides in expanding geothermal energy on public lands, an abundant clean energy resource with tremendous potential to help the country meet the Biden-Harris administrations goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.
The Department announced that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the Fervo Cape Geothermal Power Project in Beaver County, Utah, which will use innovative technology to generate up to 2 gigawatts (GW) of baseload power that, if fully developed, is enough to supply over 2 million homes. With this approval, the BLM has now approved nearly 32 gigawatts of clean energy projects on public lands, including 42 projects approved under the Biden-Harris administration. The BLM is also proposing a new categorical exclusion to facilitate geothermal energy resources confirmation on public lands. These actions come as the BLM hosted the biggest geothermal lease sale in more than 15 years.
Geothermal energy is one of our greatest untapped clean energy resources on public lands, said
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Dr. Steve Feldgus. Todays actions are part of the Departments work to deliver on new opportunities, new technologies, and new solutions in geothermal energy that support the Biden-Harris administrations commitment to create jobs, economic growth, and clean carbon-free electricity for communities throughout the West.
Replenished by heat sources deep in the Earth, geothermal energy generates electricity with minimal carbon emissions. It can also be used to heat buildings, operate greenhouses, and support aquaculture operations. Today there are 51 operating power plants producing geothermal energy from BLM-managed public lands. Learn more at the BLM
Geothermal Energy website.
Fervo Cape Geothermal Power Project
The Fervo Cape Geothermal Power Project is an
enhanced geothermal system that produces energy by injecting water into hot subsurface rock formations and then extracting the heated water to generate electricity, rather than depending on naturally occurring underground hot water like traditional geothermal systems. If fully developed, the project will cover approximately 631 acres, including 148 acres on public lands, and produce up to 2 gigawatts of clean energy. Additional information on the project is available at the
BLM National NEPA Register.