Is Geothermal Energy the Future?

 It seems that the use of geothermal energy is on the rise in the United States. Geothermal energy, which produces power from the natural heat in the earth, is being touted by its supporters as the next great leap in energy production. It is being described as cheaper and cleaner than traditional energy sources and more reliable than other green energy sources. It’s not surprising that liberals and environmentalists have already jumped on the geothermal bandwagon.

     From U.S. PIRG to the Center for American Progress, liberal groups have, at one time or another, listed geothermal power as one of the major energy sources of the future which will save us from global warming. It’s not surprising that geothermal energy is getting this support. As far as green energy sources go, geothermal energy appears to be the most efficient and reliable. Even conservatives are acknowledging that geothermal energy could have a place in America’s energy future.

     In the past, Nicolas Loris of the Heritage Foundation has acknowledged that green energy sources like geothermal power “can make a small contribution” to America’s energy needs. However, like many conservatives, Loris has argued that geothermal energy and its green cousins will never produce the massive amounts of energy needed to keep this country running. Loris may have a point.

     While geothermal energy development may be on the rise, we are a long way from production growing to a point where it could have a significant impact on energy consumption in the United States. Furthermore, there are considerable obstacles to expanded geothermal energy production. Experts admit that geothermal sites are “expensive and it's risky to develop”. Until now, geothermal energy producers have overcome these obstacles with a little help from the government and the American taxpayer. Even geothermal proponents have acknowledged that the industry has been able to expand because “federal and state government have put in place laws and policies to really promote clean energy”.

     These obstacles make it unlikely that geothermal energy will grow much more in the near future. Any industry that needs to rely on government support probably isn’t strong enough to sustain itself in the long run. This is especially true now, when the name of the game in Washington is spending cuts and reduced government regulation. In the years ahead, geothermal energy will probably have to sink or swim on its own. The industry certainly seems to have potential, but I won’t be expecting a geothermal plant in my area anytime soon.

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Steve Michaels

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