NewNew Mexico New Mexico holds considerable reserves of this clean, reliable form of energy that to date have barely been tapped. New Mexico has more acres of geothermally heated greenhouses than any other state, and aquacul- ture, or fish farming, is a burgeoning enterprise for state residents. Several electric power generation opportunities also have been identified. WhyWhy GeothermalGeothermal ?? Homegrown Energy geothermally heated greenhouse. Technical Capabilities It’s here, right beneath our feet! No Geologists have identified several Universities, Federal and state agen- need to import! other attractive prospects, particu- cies, and industry bring outstanding larly the Jemez Mountains in the Current Development technical capabilities to the task of north-central part of the state, developing New Mexico’s geothermal New Mexico is a leader in using the that could support more than 20 resources. New Mexico State Earth’s energy for space heating, MWe of power. University at Las Cruces possesses having many direct-use facilities Economic Benefits particular expertise in the field. where low- to moderate-tempera- Sandia National Laboratories is one of Gross receipts from more than 50 ture geothermal resources provide the three main acres of geothermal greenhouses in heat for greenhouses, fish hatch- National New Mexico exceed $30 million eries, swimming pools, and therapeu- Laboratories annually, and from 6 to 12 people are tic baths at spas and resorts. A working on employed per acre at these green- large district heating system has geothermal houses. DOE invests about $5 million provided space heat and domestic R&D, employing of research and development funds hot water to a portion of New more than 20 annually in the state, primarily at Mexico State University at Las geoscientists, its Sandia National Laboratories in Cruces for many years. To date, New engineers, and Albuquerque, to promote wider use Mexico has one geothermal electric technicians in of our valuable geothermal power plant, a 500-kWe binary unit its geothermal New Mexico has more acres of supplying electricity to a large, resources. geothermally heated green- program. houses than any other state. GGeoPoweringeoPowering thethe WestWest GeoPowering the West is a cooperative Federal, state, and local effort to promote awareness of the vast geothermal energy resources in the Western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. GeoPowering the West partners with businesses, government officials, Native American groups, utilities, and energy consumers to expand the use of geothermal energy. For further information on these efforts, The Jemez Mountains - the hottest known geothermal resource in New Mexico. please contact the following:

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces Ten thousand years ago, North America James C. Witcher, Project Manager 505.646.3949 [email protected] Paleo-indians used geothermal hot springs HistoryHistory for cleansing, cooking, healing, and even New Mexico Energy Department Energy Conservation Division negotiating. In the late 1800s, recreational spas were developed in www.emnrd.state.nm.us Northern California and Yellowstone National Park. Christopher Wentz, Director 505.476.3312 [email protected] Modern, non-resort use of geothermal energy in the West began in 1892 U.S. Department of Energy when Boise, Idaho, built its first district heating system. Today, the state Denver Regional Office capitol and many other Boise buildings are heated with this economical www.eren.doe.gov/dro/ source of energy. In 1922, the first geothermal power plant came on line Steve Palomo, Program Manager 303.275.4838 [email protected] at The Geysers in Northern California. Commercial greenhouses began to U.S. Department of Energy use geothermal waters for irrigation and greenhouse heating in 1930. GeoPowering the West Geothermal fluids were used to enhance heap-leaching gold recovery in www.eren.doe.gov/geopoweringthewest Nevada in 1987. In 1995, an onion- and garlic-dehydration facility was Susan Norwood, National Coordinator dedicated in Empire, Nevada. The plant produces more than 20 million 202.586.4779 [email protected] tons of dried product per year. Mineral recovery (silica and zinc) from Sandia National Laboratories www.sandia.gov/geothermal geothermal waters is currently being studied as an additional revenue Roger Hill, GPW Technical Director stream from the Salton Sea geothermal power plant 505.844.6111 [email protected] complex in Southern California. Geo-Heat Center (Direct Use Technical Information) Today, geothermal electricity is being pro- geoheat.oit.edu duced in four Western states. Geothermal Kevin Rafferty, Associate Director power and direct-use resources have been iden- 541.885.1750 [email protected] tified in 19 Western states. It is the goal of the Department of Energy's GeoPowering the Produced for the U.S. Department of Energy West program that geothermally produced elec- 1000 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20585 tricity will be generated in eight states by 2010, by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and that more than 5 million Western homes a DOE National Laboratory Geothermal energy offers and businesses will use this abundant source DOE/GO-102002-1563 April 2002 substantial economic oppor- Printed with renewable-source ink on paper containing at of geothermal heat and power by 2015. tunities for New Mexico. least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste.