DOE buys geothermal plant in Wyoming
CASPER, WYOMING - The U.S. Energy Department has bought a geothermal plant north of Casper for an undisclosed amount.
Ormat Technologies, of Reno, Nev., built the test plant at the Teapot Dome oil field to prove the technical feasibility of using hot water associated with oil production to generate electricity.
The plant was designed to produce 250 kilowatts of electricity. It has been operating for over a year, providing electricity to operate the oil wells.
Officials say while the plant proves the technology's viability, more study is needed to see if it would work at other oil fields in the country.
The federal government plans to continue testing for another two years and collect more data related to long-term durability of the plant.
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Groups clash over NH hydropower project
BANGOR, MAINE - Groups supporting and opposing the Northern Pass hydropower project in New Hampshire filed statements Friday in advance of a state committee’s meeting next week on whether it should rehear the project.
The Site Evaluation Committee rejected Eversource’s project last month over concerns about potential negative impacts. It is scheduled to deliberate Monday on Eversource’s request for a rehearing.
The $1.6 billion project would deliver hydropower from Canada to customers in southern New England through a 192-mile transmission line in New Hampshire.
If the Northern Pass project fails to ultimately win New Hampshire approval, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources has…