DoE Lays Out New Rules for Geothermal Drilling
Deb wrote in the fall about VC-backed geothermal project companies, including concerns that their drilling efforts could cause earthquakes or other losses of terra firma (see here and here). She specifically focused on AltaRock, which had been drilling in Northern California geysers. AltaRock suspended and then abandoned drilling in the geysers due to "physical difficulties," but the Department of Energy nonetheless opted to complete its review (in part because it gave AltaRock and others grant money for alternate drilling projects). The result were several new requirements for any company engaged in geothermal drilling, with or without government funding. These include stress test and simulation requirements and an expert review of those tests by a DoE panel. (Download the letter here)
