BLM Approves Crescent Valley Geothermal Project
Project Could Add Up To 30 MW To The Grid, Power Over 33,000 Homes
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the 30-MW Crescent Valley geothermal energy production facility and associated transmission line. The project includes construction and operation of one power plant, a photovoltaic solar field, 17 additional geothermal fluid production and injection wells and well pads, new and improved access roads, an aggregate pit, geothermal fluid pipelines, an electrical gen-tie line, substation, switching station, and ancillary support facilities.
Geothermal projects support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation’s economy and security. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” the geothermal projects on public lands help meet the energy needs of US citizens, will solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future, and achieve American Energy Dominance, according to the BLM.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 1 MW produced by a geothermal project can power about 1104 average American homes’ electricity use per year.
Geothermal is an abundant resource, especially in the western part of the country, where the BLM has authority to manage geothermal resource leasing, exploration, and development on approximately 245 million surface acres (99 ha) of public lands and the 700 million acres (282 million ha) where the United States owns the subsurface mineral estate.
