Online Resources
There is an abundance of information on the web readily available for everyone to search and learn about geothermal utility power generation and technologies, and Save Our Arkansas Valley encourages community members to seek these out and learn. Scroll down to see key technical online resources that provide specific insight for community members who want to learn about Save Our Arkansas Valley’s concerns regarding the plant siting location(s), its impacts and costs.
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Geothermal Study for Colorado
In July 2024, a report regarding geothermal potential and utilization throughout Colorado was published, representing a collaboration with Colorado Geologic Survey (CGS), Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), and the private company Teverra. Chaffee County is NOT the biggest geothermal opportunity, and the State’s money is best spent on converting old oil & gas wells for geothermal.
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Berkley Study Compares Geothermal to other renewables
In 2023, Berkeley Lab analyzed the net value of renewables to determine why geothermal development has been lagging in the Western U.S. The study concluded that the net value of geothermal is lower than that of other renewable energy sources, and has even been found to be negative for a significant period covered by the study.
The net value gap for geothermal is actively being close legislatively and via state and federal funding initiatives.
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Renewable Power Generation Costs
In 2022 the International Renewable Energy Agency published a study disclosing the installed cost of geothermal, and compares other renewable technologies like wind and solar. The geothermal discussion states the type of plant will only be known from drilling. MPG repeatedly states a their geothermal power plant would use binary technology, but in reality if drilling dictates a fracking method of course MPG and its investors would pursue this in order to recoup their drilling investment! NOT drilling 6,000 feet deep in Maxwell Park at all is the best course!
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Chaffee County Regulations on Geothermal Electricity Production
Rules were adopted on October 2013 for the county’s 1041 regulations adding this chapter for geothermal.
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Critical Biological Resource Survey, Chaffee County, 2009
In 2009 a biological study of the headwaters in Chaffee County was made. Dry (Lost) Creek is a significant resource for the Arkansas River and merits protection. Reader may want to skim then skip to page 138.
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These links are provided as an aide to searching for local news stories, and may not be inclusive of what all is available online for our news sources.
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MPG’s published historical timeline of geothermal studies in the State and Chaffee County, which is likely used to draw investors, Geothermal Development