Idaho Working Group
Idaho State Capitol building is the only U.S. capitol heated with geothermal waters.
During the last meeting of the working group, which was held on October 10, 2002, subcommittees were established to identify and begin implementing activities to support the objectives of the Idaho Geothermal Energy Development Strategic Plan.
The IGEWG hosted a geothermal trade mission to Nevada on November 18-19, 2003. The purpose of this trade mission was to familiarize Idaho legislators, county economic development officials, and others with the use and benefits of clean, renewable geothermal energy. The trade mission included a visit to the Brady Geothermal Power Plant and Gilroy Foods, which uses geothermal heat for onion processing. Presentations were made to the group by a number of Nevada legislators and county officials, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission, the Nevada Division of Minerals, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. These presentations (and associated question and answer opportunities) provided information on local economic benefits, Renewable Portfolio Standard legislation, Renewable Energy Credit methodology, geothermal well permitting, and geothermal electric power development on federal lands. The trade mission was very successful, with a great deal of information provided to Idaho policy makers who were impressed with the geothermal operations visited and the potential opportunities for geothermal development in Idaho. The information obtained during this trade mission will be useful for the development of policies and legislation promoting the use of geothermal energy in the state.
More Information
Gerry Galinato
Energy Division, Idaho Department of Water Resources
Tel: (208) 287-4897
E-mail: Gerry.Galinato@idwr.idaho.gov