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Impacts of Using Geothermal Energy

Photo of geothermal heated pond.

Geothermal energy can be used in a way that is environmentally and economically beneficial.

Learn more about the environmental and economic impacts and benefits of geothermal energy technologies.

Environmental Impacts and Benefits

Geothermal energy does not require fuel-burning to produce heat or electricity. Therefore, geothermal technologies have minimal impact on the environment. And many U.S communities and individuals benefit environmentally from using geothermal energy.

Economic Impacts and Employment Benefits

The most important economic aspect of geothermal energy use is that it's homegrown — using geothermal energy reduces our dependence on foreign oil, creates jobs here in the United States, and more favorably balances our global trading position.

For a print version of this information, see Buried Treasure: The Environmental, Economic, and Employment Benefits of Geothermal Energy (PDF 2.58 MB), August 2004. Download Adobe Reader.