BLM authorizes Bailey Mountain Geothermal Exploration Project
Mud Lake, Tushar Mts, Beaver County, Utah (source: Andrey Zharkikh / flickr, creative commons)
Carlo Cariaga
2 May 2022
The BLM authorization allows Ormat Nevada to drill up to 20 geothermal exploration wells in the Bailey Mountain site in Beaver County.
Ormat Technologies Inc. (Ormat) through Ormat Nevada Inc. has received authorization from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Color Country District Office for the Bailey Mountain Geothermal Exploration Project. This will allow Ormat to drill up to 20 geothermal exploration wells in the project site in Beaver County, Utah.
The proposed wells will be located in the 1885-acre public land that is managed by BLM and leased to Ormat Nevada, Inc. he proposal also includes an application for a right-of-way grant for the improvement and relocation of three access roads associated with the project. If the company finds a viable geothermal resource, then Ormat Nevada Inc. could apply to the BLM for development of the geothermal power plant.
Prior to approval, a public review period was opened that allowed public citizens to review and comment on the Environmental Assessment done for the Bailey Mountain project as we reported.
“Public comments received from state and local governments, environmental groups, and individuals have been overwhelmingly supportive of this project,” said BLM Color Country District Manager Gloria Tibbetts. “This is just one piece of a diverse portfolio of existing and upcoming projects on BLM-managed public lands in this area that have the potential to expand the development of clean renewable energy.”
Geothermal energy development supports the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of creating a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and aligns with Congress’ direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands by 2025. To promote our clean energy goals, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands and new transmission routes to connect into the grid.
Source: Bureau of Land Management
