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This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. Geothermal Resources Council, TRANSACTIONS Vol. 7, October '1 983 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY - THE RATIONAL ECOLOGICAL CHOICE James L. Moore Joseph G. La Fleur Cal ifortiia Energy Company, Inc. Santa Rosa, Cal ifornia ation mode, it will be necessary to implement new techniques and thinking within the exploi- ABSTRACT tation and development mode. This effort will necessitate creation of a greater awareness As the geothermal industry begins to take an within the governmental planning and admini- appropriately serious look at the geothermal strative agencies of the economic and environ- power potential of the Cascades, it becomes mental viability of the resource. It is the essential that a high degree of cooperation be intent of this paper to briefly identify some achieved between power companies, environmental of these environmental advantages which enhance groups, regulatory agencies, and geothermal the desirability of developing electrical grade developers. Such cooperation will facilitate geothermal resources. efficient resource utilization with an accompany- ing assurance of minimal environmental sacrifice. It is equally important that energy planners ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS : become fully aware of the probable potential capacity, quality and economic viability of the Two kinds of environmental costs are Cascades geothermal resources. These planners incurred in the development of energy sources: must also realize that geothevmal energy is a (1) the direct, operations-related costs logical and ecologically acceptable choice as the incurred by both the developer and the public source for future power needs. In keeping with regulatory agencies in ensuring compliance with the environmental concerns and commitments of the operating and reporting mandates of environ- general populous of the Pacific Northwest, geo- mental regulations, and (2) the less quanti- thermal energy can provide economical, clean, f iable environmental costs associated with the safe electrical power at significantly less cost commitment of our natural resources. to the environment than hydroelectric, nuclear or fossil fuel plants. The environmental impact of ODerations-related Environmental Costs: geothermal development has already been minimized throughout much of the Cascades by the extensive Because a1 1 direct, resource development access road network of the logging industry. and operational costs are ultimately borne by There is a high degree of compatibility between the energy consumer, these costs must be min- geothermal development and existing land use imized wherever possible. Cooperation among within commercial forests, and coexistence land management offices, regulatory agencies, between the two is consistent with the national environmental groups, power companies and objective of mu1 tiple-use forests. geothermal developers, based on the recognition that goals are essentially shared, can substan- INTRODUCTION tially reduce the cost of geothermal power. Those governmental entities responsi ble for The Cascade Range contains an abundance of ensuring compliance with environmental mandates young volcanic rocks and structures. Recent and the associated requirement for data col- volcanic peaks extend from Mt. Meager in the lection can reduce operations costs by avoiding north to Mts. Shasta and Lassen in the south. dupl ication of efforts. Environmental groups Active tectonism has produced a myriad of inter- and governmental agencies can further minimize secting fracture/faul t systems that traverse the these costs by careful comparison of project- entire range. Water supply is abundant. The specific environmental effects with alternative basic geological parameters necessary to produce sites and sources. Subsequently, responsible excellent geothermal systems are present. decisions can be made to define those unique areas which require special protection and In spite of this probable abundance of geo- concentrate efforts there. thermal resources, 1i ttle has actual ly been accomplished within this geological province to Agencies and/or authors of environmental define economic viability. Several scenarios can impact reports should be aware of the potential be presented to account for this lack of success- for imposition of substantial unnecessary ful effort. Basic exploration will require new project delays and resultant increased costs thinking and subsequently new geological and geo- when unfounded "what ifs" are included within physical techniques. In addition to new geologi- official environmental documents. One such cal and geophysical techniques within the explor- 3 61 Moore/La Fleur "what if" comment that the rare and endangered Hand1 ing, transportation, storage and ultimate Peregrine Falcon might nest on Cobb Mountain near disposal of nuclear wastes, in addition to The Geysers resulted in halting all geothermal operation and final decommissioning of the development in that area for several years, reactors themselves, present unresolved impacts despite the fact that no Peregrine falcon had to the environment. In addition to those ever actually been sighted there. After several factors generally considered environmental years of extensive field work, an expert orni- impacts, nuclear power development can also thologist concluded that the cliffs of Cobb precipitate financial hazards. Financial Mountain would be an unlikely nesting site for hazards are not fully considered in environ- fa1cons because of accessi bi1 ity to bobcats--and niental impact analyses. Financial burdens on that drilling activity would probably not have geographical areas, especially when such bur- significantly impacted the falcons, had they dens exceed the financial capability of such actually nested there. areas to service that debt, can induce severe negative economic repercussions. According to Legislative and regulatory bodies can reduce a May 1983 CBS Evening News report, the environmental related expense by relying on the Washington Pub1 ic Power Supply System's five expertise of the land and forest administrators nuclear plants have had cost overruns of 500% in the field. Local foresters and land use ($24 Billion currently projected vs.. $4 Billion experts are better qualified to judge land use- originally budgeted). Three of the originally impact on specific areas under their charge than scheduled plants have been mothballed in an are distant regulatory or legislative bodies. incomplete status and the remaining two, which Proposed legislation to establ ish geothermal are both nearly complete, may never be commis- "buffer zones" around National Parks is an sioned. It should be further noted that after example of unnecessary "blanket legislation" that only 13 years of operation, PG&E's Humboldt Bay would not be universally appropriate. The stated nuclear plant is being decommissioned. The purpose of the legislation is to preserve the decision to decommission the plant was reached unique geothermal phenomena specific to those by PG&E after they learned it would require parks. Considering some of the arguments used to $446 million to restart the plant after a support such legislation, the real question normal shutdown for refueling. Decommissioning becomes whether the actual purpose of the pro- the Humboldt Bay nuclear plant will require 30 posed legislation is not simply a method of hin- years and at least $49 million to accomplish dering or ha1 ting geothermal development. according to a PG&E spokesperson. Such real financial potentialities and reasonable alter- Leasing and permitting delays, with their natives need to be considered along with other resultant increased cost and longer turnaround "environmental" considerations prior to initia- time on project development and investment, can tion of all power projects. be minimized by dealing on a specific-location basis. Geothermal developers working closely FOSSIL FUEL with responsible administrative agencies can reduce the costs of administrative and permitting A recent National Academy of Sciences- delays, environmental 1 itigation, and costly National Research Council report confirmed that mitigation of some negative impacts through "There is a direct link between sulfur-dioxide responsible exploration planning that results in spewed from coal-fired boilers and the death of the early recognition and avoidance of truly lakes in the United States and Canada. unique, sensitive or pristine environments. the occurrence