May 20, 2013

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Posted: Sat 12:13 PM, Jan 12, 2013
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Reporter: AP Email
Updated: Sat 1:22 PM, Jan 12, 2013

Geothermal Takes Technological Step Forward

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - Geothermal energy developers working on the flanks of an ancient Oregon volcano say they have taken an important technological step toward expanding geothermal energy into a major source of homegrown power.

AltaRock Energy, Inc., of Seattle says the data is still being analyzed, but they are confident they have created three geothermal reservoirs from a single well where none existed before, a key to development of the next level of geothermal energy development, known as Enhanced Geothermal Systems.

AltaRock President Susan Petty says still to come is showing these reservoirs can power a commercial geothermal power plant.

The U.S. Department of Energy is paying half the $43.8 million cost of the project as part of its efforts to do for geothermal energy what it did for shale gas.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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