global geothermal news: october, page-15

Geothermal energy development gathers steam
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Experts says geothermal energy use may grow due to an unusual combination of economic and environmental forces.

The financial meltdown on Wall Street, soaring oil prices, the volatility of the natural gas market and concern about global warming are driving increasing demand for the energy produced by harnessing heat from beneath the earth's surface.

The Geothermal Energy Association says new projects are under way in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

When developed, the projects will provide up to 3,368 megawatts of new electric power capacity, more than doubling U.S. capacity from 2,936 megawatts in 2006, to nearly 6,304 megawatts.