Washington State Profile
Background
Geothermal activity occurs in several areas of Washington. The volcanic rocks of the Cascade Volcanic Chain host the primary potential for moderate- to high-temperature hydrothermal reservoirs. Localized areas in the Olympic Peninsula and North Cascade Mountains also offer potential. Geothermal energy is not currently being used to generate electricity in Washington. Hydrothermal resources of lower temperatures, unsuitable for power production but appropriate for applications in which thermal energy is transferred directly from geothermal waters, may be found in the Cascades. Most of Eastern Washington, particularly the Columbia basin, also has potential for lower temperature resources. Washington's geothermal resources are primarily observed in the form of surface hot-springs that are developed for therapeutic and recreational purposes.
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Current Development
Geothermal development in Washington has thus far been limited to the direct use of thermal waters for therapeutic bathing and recreation. Washington's most well-known hot spring attractions include Sol Duc Hot Springs in Olympic National Park, and Soda Lake. While several exploration leases are pending, these resource areas tend to coincide with important scenic areas where environmental considerations could prohibit development.
Proposed Development
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The most recent assessment of Washington's geothermal potential was done in 1994. This work identified 34 thermal springs primarily located in the Cascade Mountains and 941 thermal wells primarily located in the Columbia Basin. Despite the large number of wells, there are no near-term plans to develop geothermal applications in the basin.
The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that Washington's geothermal resources hold the potential for 127 megawatts for electricity generation, and 448 megawatts for direct thermal use.1 Additionally, the Geothermal Energy Association estimates the near-term power production potential of Washington at 50 MWe (megawatts electric), with a longer-term, higher-cost projection of 600 MWe for sites at Mount Baker and Wind River in the Cascades. However, geothermal development in Washington is likely to focus initially on the expansion of direct-use applications.
Economic Benefits
The developed hot and mineral springs of Washington provide about 11 billion Btus of geothermal energy per year. Compared to statewide energy consumption, this is a relatively small amount of energy that would not have a large impact on the state's economy in terms of offsetting other energy sources. Rather, the economic impact is realized through the effect that the springs have on the local tourism industry. Sol Duc Hot Springs, for example, attracts 50,000 visitors per year, and Soda Lake draws far more than that.
Technical Capabilities
The geothermal experts at the Washington State University Extension Energy Program have world-class expertise in high- and low-temperature geothermal energy. The group has prepared a series of guides on developing geothermal energy, and a series of case studies on geothermal heat pumps.
Incentives
With the passage into law of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the national Production Tax Credit (PTC) was extended to include geothermal facilities in operation by January 1, 2008. The PTC is an incentive of 1.5¢ per kWh for electricity produced from renewable sources during the first ten years of a new facility's operation.
As a state-specific incentive, renewable energy equipment is exempt from the state sales tax in Washington.
State Working Groups
Geothermal State Working Groups are networks of individuals typically including geothermal developers, utility representatives, local officials and policymakers, and other energy stakeholders within a given state or region. Geothermal State Working Groups are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's GeoPowering the West Initiative and often work in conjunction with the State Energy Office of the group's respective state to accomplish networking conferences, analyze regulatory issues, and assess the progress of local geothermal projects.
The combined Washington/Oregon Geothermal State Working Group contact is Gordon Bloomquist of the Geothermal, Hydrothermal and Integrated Energy Systems department at Washington State University.
List of Projects
Geothermal projects operating in Washington include the following:
- Sol Duc Hot Springs Pool/Spa
- Doe Bay Village Resort Pool/Spa
- Goldmeyer Hot Springs Pool/Spa
- Notaras Lodge Pool/Spa
- Soap Lake Pool/Spa
- Carson Hot Mineral Springs Resort Pool/Spa
Details regarding the location and geothermal energy capacity of each project can be found at the Washington State Geothermal Projects website, http://geoheat.oit.edu/state/wa/wa.htm, developed by the Oregon Institute of Technology's Geo-Heat Center.
State Contacts
The Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development (administers the State Energy Program)
Tony Usibelli
State Energy Office Director
Cory Plantenberg
State Energy Program Manager
Washington State University Energy Program
Washington Energy Policy Office
Washington State Office of Trade and Economic Development
Mark Anderson, Senior Energy Policy Specialist
Tony Usibelli, Division Director
GeoPowering the West — State Working Group
Gordon Bloomquist
Geothermal, Hydrothermal and Integrated Energy Systems
Washington State University
Tel: (360) 956-2016
Bureau of Land Management
Oregon/Washington State Office
Cooperative Extension Energy Program
Washington State University
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Environmental Protection Agency
Region 10
Washington Department of Ecology
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Geology and Earth Resources Division
Washington Office of Trade & Economic Development
Energy Policy Group
Washington State University, Energy Program
Jacob Fey, Director
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
National DOE Contacts
U.S. Department of Energy
Curtis Framel
Senior Energy Project Officer
Golden Field Office
Golden, Colorado
(303) 275-4872
U.S. Department of Energy
Sandy Glatt
Senior Energy Project Officer
Central Regional Office
Golden, Colorado
(303) 275-4857
1Estimate of electric power potential from United States Geological Survey Circular 790-Assessment of Geothermal Resources of the United States; Estimate of thermal potential from United States Geological Survey Circular 892-Assessment of Low-Temperature Geothermal Resources of the United States; Thermal Installed Capacity and Annual Energy data from Oregon Institute of Technology-GeoHeat Center