BLM Approves Production Well for San Emidio Geothermal Facility
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WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office has approved a proposal submitted by US Geothermal Nevada LLC (USGN) to drill a new geothermal production well at the San Emidio Geothermal Facility. No new surface disturbance on BLM administered public lands will occur for this project since the well pad, and access to the well pads are all pre-existing and previously permitted.
The San Emidio Geothermal Facility is located 90 miles northeast of Reno and 12 miles south of the town of Gerlach, Washoe County, in the San Emidio Desert basin. The operation is currently a 14.7 megawatt binary cycle geothermal plant that has been producing reliable green energy since 1987. The facility sits on 40 acres of joint private land and BLM administered lands.
Over the last six years, USGN has been conducting exploration in the San Emidio Desert basin to help identify and develop additional renewable geothermal resources, drilling five new wells in total. “USGN’s exploration initiative is in line with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, where geothermal leases are required to perform diligent exploration, prevent loss or waste of leased resources and maximize geothermal recovery,” said Mark Hall, Field Manager for the Black Rock Field Office. “The approval of their proposed action is in accordance with the administration’s goal of increasing America’s energy independence, and getting America back to work by promoting job creation and supporting working landscapes.”
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.