Colorado has long relied on high altitude sunlight and winter winds as a source of energy. Currently, the governor of Colorado is Jared Polis (D) is determined to harness another renewable resource — one smoldering beneath the Centennial State’s surface.
“The low-cost mainstays of the clean energy economy have always been solar and wind energy, especially in places like Colorado where wind and sun are plentiful,” Polis told The Hills. Sharon Udasin In a Zoom interview this week.
However, the state Reduce fossil fuels In addition to energy sources like coal and natural gas, they are looking for ways to harness energy even when it’s not windy or sunny.
For Polis, geothermal energy is literallyHeat inside the Earth” — may help fill that gap.
He said on Friday, $7.7 million prize Through 35 new projects in the state Geothermal Energy Grant Program – My goal is Continue deployment We will utilize this zero-emission resource across Colorado.
“We believe the state should be innovative and Facilitating these investments “We should harness the heat under our feet by using geothermal energy,” Polis said.
The program will provide $3.57 million in grant funding for research and construction. Thermal Energy Network — Several buildings will be connected underground to one system.
Another $3.22 million will be dedicated to a geothermal exploration, drilling and testing project to demonstrate the potential development of Colorado’s first 35 megawatts of geothermal power.
State geothermal energy grant program created Through the 2022 bill It focused on promoting the utilization of the state’s geothermal resources.
“The wonderful thing about geothermal energy is Produced for decades “They’re built and will be around for a long time — 30, 50, 80 years,” Polis says. “The cost is primarily upfront and they require minimal maintenance over time. The challenge is getting past the capital investment hump.”
For more details, see the full report below. Hill.com.
