Trade group says U.S. geothermal to double

[Fledermaus]

WASHINGTON: Geothermal energy production in the United States has been on track to double in the next few years and the economic stimulus bill will help sustain this growth, according an industry trade group.

"The provisions of the economic stimulus bill will put steam back into the engine of geothermal industry growth," said Karl Gawell, executive director of the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA).

In August 2008, GEA reported that the U.S. had about 3,000 MW of geothermal electricity connected to the grid and almost 4,000 MW of new geothermal power plants under development. "But, the financial crisis has been stalling new development," Gawell noted. "Financing for new projects has been difficult to obtain, and when available very expensive."

The economic stimulus bill includes a range of provisions intended to support expanded geothermal energy use, from power plants to geothermal heat pumps. Among the most important according to GEA are the bills tax credit provisions.

http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=3&storyid=16078

[WCGreen]

1. If I could afford the up front costs, i would go Geo....

[LostinVA]

2. I would do it for sure if I was building a new house

The cost of a retrofit on my current house is hair-raisingly expensive. We are, however, seriously considering solar within the next few years, especially after IKEA brings it's cheapish program here to the US.