Interior Fast-Tracks Nevada Geothermal to Tap 10% US Energy Potential

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1. The Interior Department slashed environmental reviews for geothermal projects from years to just 28 days, dramatically accelerating clean energy development across Nevada.

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Three Ormat Nevada projects—Diamond Flat, McGinness Hills, and Pinto—stand first in line for the fast-track treatment following Trump's January 2025 energy emergency declaration.

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The Great Basin region holds a staggering 135 gigawatts of untapped geothermal potential, enough to supply 10% of America's total electricity needs.

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Unlike weather-dependent solar and wind, geothermal energy provides reliable 24/7 baseload power with minimal carbon emissions.

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Modern binary geothermal plants use between 0.24-4.21 gallons of water per kilowatt-hour, with most fluids recycled back into underground reservoirs.

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Enhanced Geothermal Systems create engineered fractures in deep rock formations to extract heat from areas previously inaccessible to traditional methods.

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At $0.052/kWh for binary and $0.044/kWh for flash systems, geothermal energy costs remain competitive with solar ($0.035/kWh) while offering superior reliability.

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Nevada's renewable portfolio standard requires 50% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2050, positioning geothermal as a crucial part of the state's energy future.

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Local communities stand to gain substantial economic benefits from geothermal development, including permanent high-paying jobs in drilling, construction, and operations.

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