Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Associated with Geothermal Resource Confirmation Drilling Activities

Levine, Aaron L; Taverna, Nicole; Young, Katherine R

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DOE OSTI · 1603937

Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Associated with Geothermal Resource Confirmation Drilling Activities

Levine, Aaron L·Taverna, Nicole·Young, Katherine R

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Abstract

In 2017-2018, the Bureau of Land Management's National Renewable Energy Coordination Office, through its Geothermal Program, funded the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to analyze technical and environmental considerations related to geothermal resource confirmation drilling. NREL solicited input from a group of technical and environmental experts in the geothermal industry, along with analyzing National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) documentation for previously approved projects. The collected data and analysis will be used by the Bureau of Land Management to examine the possibility of developing a new classification of wells and/or expediting the NEPA compliance process, which could potentially reduce permitting and regulatory compliance timelines when compared to the current process for obtaining a geothermal drilling permit for resource confirmation drilling activities.

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15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY drilling environment exploration geothermal permitting regulation

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Levine, Aaron L, Taverna, Nicole, Young, Katherine R. 2020-03-03. Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Associated with Geothermal Resource Confirmation Drilling Activities. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1603937

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