Geothermal Site Acquisition and Early Development: Key Legal Issues and Emerging Strategies

摘要

This paper surveys the recent surge of interest in early-stage geothermal energy project development, describes some of the key legal issues that must be faced by developers of such projects, and recommends strategies for resolving these issues with an eye to facilitating geothermal development in the western United States.rnThe paper includes an assessment of the impacts of geothermal leasing and permitting reform at the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service for projects on federal land. It also reviews the status and efficacy of programs for leasing and permitting exploration of geothermal resources on state owned lands, in particular California, Nevada and Utah.