General Principles for Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy development should not be allowed to negatively affect important surface geothermal features, such as Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.

Geothermal energy development on public lands should be done in a way that is compatible with other multiple use resource values, which may preclude geothermal development in instances where there would be conflicts with other important public resources, values, or assets.

Appropriate safeguards should be in place to ensure that emissions of water, air, and solid waste pollutants do not become a problem.

Water and wastewater used or created at geothermal energy plants must be safely disposed of by re-injection into the ground so that surface waters are not contaminated, and provisions must be made to ensure that geothermal waters that are brought to the surface or which are re-injected do not contaminate groundwater, particularly drinking water supplies. Closed-loop systems appear to be clearly preferable in this regard than open-loop systems. Reinjection can also help extend the lifetime of geothermal resources and prevent subsidence of local lands.

In making decisions regarding whether geothermal energy development is appropriate on at any given site, the totality of the energy production process should be considered. Thus, not only the wells and power plants must be considered; roads, power lines and other infrastructure must be considered as well.

On private lands, geothermal energy development should comply with local planning and zoning laws, and be compatible with any special land use designations such as parks, recreation areas, or wildlife management areas.

Because geothermal power plants can require large amounts of cooling water, it is important to ensure that wildlife, aquatic ecosystem, and recreational needs are met and maintained, and the needs of many other water users, such as farmers, must be considered as well, particularly in arid areas. For this reason, hot dry rock geothermal systems might not be appropriate on some western lands.

Geothermal energy development should be greenhouse gas positive or neutral.

Geothermal energy prospecting and development should be sensitive to the presence of thermophilic bacteria and other organisms. Microbiologic study of potential geothermal resources should be part of the scoping process, and steps should be taken to identify and protect organisms encountered.