U.S. approves mega geothermal energy project in Utah

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The Biden administration has approved Fervo Energy’s Cape Geothermal Power Project in Utah, which aims to generate up to 2 gigawatts of electricity by 2028
• This project marks a significant step for geothermal energy expansion in the U.S

🔭 The context: Geothermal energy harnesses heat from beneath the Earth’s surface to produce electricity with minimal emissions
• The project utilizes enhanced geothermal technology, which draws on techniques from the fossil fuel industry to improve efficiency and lower drilling costs

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Geothermal energy can significantly contribute to decarbonizing the energy grid by providing a stable, round-the-clock clean power source, supporting the U.S. in achieving its climate goals

⏭️ What's next: The Bureau of Land Management is working to streamline the permitting process for geothermal projects, aiming to accelerate deployment across public lands

💬 One quote: “Enhanced geothermal technology has the opportunity to deliver something in the range of 65 million homes’ worth of clean power” — Ali Zaidi, White House national climate adviser

📈 One stat: The new Utah plant could boost U.S. geothermal capacity by 50%, from 4 gigawatts to 6 gigawatts

Click for more news covering the latest on renewables