Where does Geothermal exist?
Geothermal is a regional resource peculiar to the western United States and other regions of the world where tectonic activity exists. This activity is often revealed through young mountain ranges and volcanic activity. In the USA, the western states of California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington and Utah have the greatest geothermal potential.

Why is geothermal important to the US?
With constrained natural gas resources and rising oil and gas prices, the US faces increasing energy supply challenges. Geothermal is one of the few renewable energy sources to deliver highly reliable base-load electricity at a high constant rate of 90%-95% capacity, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Geothermal power is quite independent of weather influences, like drought or heat waves.

Why is a volcano often a good resource for geothermal energy production?
A volcano rises due to pressure from underground magma and plate tectonics. The magma heats water traveling in subterranean rivers and tributaries or reservoirs. Some of this water is pressurized in the rock layers below the volcano and its flanks. Worldwide, caldera-hosted geothermal systems are often productive from permeable flank fault zones and from central sub-volcanic features.

Why is Newberry geology compelling for electricity production?
The Bonneville Power Authority, based on a geothermal study prepared on its behalf, declared Newberry the prime large-scale geothermal prospect in the Pacific Northwest. Newberry has been described as a larger than 100 MW resource by industry and governmental third party estimates. A 100 MW resource will supply power for 100,000 households.

Why does Northwest Geothermal Company believe its leases are in the best location?
Deep temperature gradient data show the west flank of Newberry Volcano to overlay a shallow commercial-temperature hot zone approximately 6 miles long, north to south. Scientists from US government agencies have identified areas within the caldera and under the west flank of Newberry Volcano containing steam, based on extensive geophysical surveys. Northwest Geothermal Company leases have been drilled by 4,000 ft temperature gradient wells with measured temperatures of 330°F, which is well within the commercial production range. A series of deep exploration drilling has also defined the northern boundary of a high temperature geothermal system. Drilling at the northern edge of the west flank hot zone is reported to have encountered steam with a temperature in excess of 550°F, within hundreds of yards of Northwest Geothermal Company leases.

What is the environmental status of Newberry Volcano?
The inside of Newberry Crater is the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The monument scope covers the territory inside the caldera and a stretch that leads northwest through a forest. Outside the caldera, geothermal exploration and production is permitted in defined areas.

How is a geothermal plant environmentally responsible?
It has almost zero emissions, occupies comparatively little land and is water friendly. It has low visibility compared to other power plants and it is truly renewable because most of the water is re-injected into the ground. It offsets millions of tons of CO2 per year.

How much electricity can be produced from the leases?
Based on other geothermal production fields, the Northwest Geothermal Company leases may be capable of producing several hundred megawatts of power.

What economic benefits does the Newberry Project bring to the local community?
The Newberry Project has a 20-year contract with PG&E, a leading California utility. For the three-year development and the twenty-year operations phases, the project will employ at least 30-60 individuals. In addition, once it is operational, it will bring significant revenue to Deschutes County and Oregon through royalty payments and taxes.

Pictures made possible by the Geothermal Education Office, Tiburon, CA