Abstract
This case study considers the development of geothermal power near Oregon’s Newberry Volcano in central Oregon. The Seattle-based AltaRock Energy Company began cracking hot rock deep within Newberry Volcano in 2010 by pouring water down a 10,000-foot well. Work was then suspended in 2012 due to weather conditions and the need to test and reinforce a concrete casing extended 5300 feet into the well. While there is more testing planned and the company needs to identify additional funding, the plan is for the future development of the resource with full production still years away. However, this nascent technology has created some controversy. Critics are concerned about the possibility of earthquakes and potential pollution of the aquifer, but supporters claim neither issue has been documented to date. In this context, this case study outlines the developing debate between the need to develop new non-carbon based energy sources versus potential environmental tradeoffs.
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Pierce, J.C., Steel, B.S. (2017). Newberry Crater Geothermal. In: Prospects for Alternative Energy Development in the U.S. West . Environmental Challenges and Solutions, vol 8. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53414-5_5
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