Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 5:00pm PST | Modified: January 27, 2010, 5:00 PM

Geothermal energy rising in Oregon

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A new study from the Geothermal Energy Association ranks Oregon third in the nation by capacity of geothermal energy under development — close to 370 megawatts (MW) — behind California and Nevada.

The United States leads the world in installed geothermal capacity, about 3,000 MW, and under development, about 6,400 MW.

Oregon has received $40 million from the Department of Energy for research and development and demonstration projects for geothermal technology.

Toni Boyd, assistant director of the Geo-Heat Center at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, said three years ago there was one geothermal project in the works for Oregon. Now the report lists 13 in varying phases of development.

"It's definitely a growth area," Boyd said. She said La Grande, Ore. is another area in the state with geothermal potential, especially if low-temperature geothermal technologies that are currently being tested are proven an effective way of generating electricity.

Like most renewable energy sectors, the Geothermal Energy Association gives credit to stimulus funding for much of the sectors 2009 growth.

Download the full report here.