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Penn State, Project InnerSpace Report: Leverage Oil & Gas Workers To Generate Enough Geothermal Energy To Meet 100% Of Pennsylvania's Electricity, Heating, Medium Industrial Process Needs

On February 26, a new report concludes that if Pennsylvania takes steps now to fully access the geothermal heat that exists underground, the Commonwealth could leverage the know-how of its oil and gas workers to generate enough energy to meet 100% of its electricity, heating and low- to medium-temperature industrial process needs in as few as 10 years.

"The Future of Geothermal in Pennsylvania" report, backed by Project InnerSpace in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University and working with 10 contributors from four Pennsylvania institutions, evaluated the potential scale of geothermal energy in the Commonwealth, and found widespread opportunities to use the Earth's natural and abundant subsurface heat for Pennsylvania's residential, commercial, agricultural, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sectors.

The report also identified hotspots across the Commonwealth that can generate secure and always-on geothermal power.

"Pennsylvania has a long and proud history of energy innovation, and my administration is working to cement the Commonwealth's place as a national energy leader – working with the energy industry, including organizations like Project Innerspace, to build exciting new technology in Pennsylvania like geothermal, hydrogen, and more," said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. "My 'Lightning Plan' will spark new innovation and build a more reliable, affordable energy grid by incentivizing new projects, streamlining permitting approvals, and encouraging communities to lower utility bills and improve reliability through shared energy resources.

“By coming together around commonsense technologies like geothermal, we can support groundbreaking projects, lower costs for consumers, create more jobs, and position the Commonwealth to continue to be a national energy leader for decades to come," added the Governor.

For more than a century, geothermal energy has proven to be a safe and sustainable source of energy, but it was limited to only a few places on earth.

Recent technological developments by the oil and gas industry now allow us to efficiently and cost-effectively tap into the Earth's heat, making geothermal energy available almost anywhere, including Pennsylvania.

These advances are allowing oil and gas workers to produce geothermal energy, driving significant interest in this home-grown and abundant energy source from the Trump administration, as well as from leading Democrats.

Pennsylvania is well positioned to take advantage of that potential given its large oil and gas workforce and its status as the nation's second-largest energy-producing state.

"Pennsylvania is an energy leader and an epicenter of oil and gas industry workforce, talent and know-how," said Jamie Beard, Executive Director of Project InnerSpace, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding the use of geothermal energy. "Pennsylvania led the charge historically with the first oil well and in the shale revolution, now it can be at the forefront of the next drilling revolution, but this time around for heat."

The Report offers 23 targeted policy recommendations to accelerate the adoption of geothermal energy across Pennsylvania, which could create economic savings for residents, generate long-term job opportunities, reduce emissions, and bolster energy security in the Commonwealth.

"Geothermal energy is a potentially limitless, always-on power source that could provide clean, locally-sourced electricity to millions of Pennsylvania residents and businesses," said Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, a Democrat and chair of the House Energy Committee. "A thriving, growing, job-creating economy isn't built on yesterday's technologies. It's built on innovation – on bold investments. Project InnerSpace's report shows that Pennsylvania can lead the way in this next energy revolution."

"Pennsylvania can help the United States dominate on energy by ensuring we have a reliable, secure and diverse supply of energy," said U.S. Rep. Kristin Marcell, a Republican representing the 178th district in Bucks County. "Given geothermal's potential to help advance key industries in Pennsylvania like advanced manufacturing and agriculture, I am excited to see this resource be added to Pennsylvania's prolific energy portfolio."

"Pennsylvania is a national leader in energy production, and geothermal systems can be the next step in the Commonwealth's transition to a cleaner, more resilient grid," said Acting Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley. "As electricity demands continue to grow, geothermal can play a crucial role in creating clean energy jobs and lowering utility bills."

Click Here for a copy of The Future of Geothermal in Pennsylvania.

Click Here for a copy of the announcement.

Geothermal Energy From Abandoned Mine Water

Pennsylvania also has tremendous potential for geothermal energy from underground abandoned coal mine water pools as well [Read more here] and federal funding is available to develop this resource [Read more here].

Upcoming Event

-- June 4-5: Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance Mine Pools As Beneficial Resource Conference. Bucknell University.

Resource Links:

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: A Geothermal Push In Pennsylvania Enlists Oil & Gas Industry: ‘Hot Everywhere Underground’

-- Washington & Jefferson College Contributes To Penn State, Project Innerspace Geothermal In PA Report

-- Marcellus Drilling News: PA Study Promotes Geothermal With Aim To Kill Off Shale Energy [PDF of Article]

-- Project InnerSpace Launches Cross-Collaborative Future of Oil/Gas Well-Based Geothermal In Pennsylvania Study [PaEN]

-- Kleinman Center For Energy Policy: Heat Beneath Our Feet - Pennsylvania’s Prospects For Geothermal Energy - By John Quigley, Senior Fellow, Kleinman Center

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 22 to 28 - 11 More Abandoned Shale Gas Wells; 12,600 Gallon Wastewater Spill; Failure To Comply With Shale Well Plugging Order [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Coterra Energy Spills 12,600 Gallons Of Wastewater From Shale Gas Well Pad In Bridgewater Twp., Susquehanna County [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: DEP Issues Violations For Abandoning 11 More Shale Gas Wells; Shale Gas Well Owner Fails To Comply With Plugging Order [PaEN]