Governor Huntsman says the plan is a ‘positive move forward’

WASHINGTON – The Interior Department plans to open more than 190 million federal acres – including 18 areas in Utah – for geothermal production in an attempt to boost domestic energy output.
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said Wednesday the plans, in their final stage, could increase the nation’s supply of geothermal energy to power more than 5.5 million homes within seven years.
“Geothermal energy will play a key role in powering America’s energy future, which requires a wide variety of energy sources,” Kempthorne said in a conference call with reporters. “Because geothermal energy is replenished by heat sources deep in the Earth, it is a renewable resource that generates electricity with minimal carbon emissions.” read article