Geothermal Power

Boise has the largest direct use geothermal system in the United States which supplies sustainable heat to more than 55 businesses. So what does that mean? What is geothermal energy?

According to TheDailyGreen.com, "Geothermal energy is harnessed from the...Earth’s core, which averages about 6,650 degrees Fahrenheit...Heated springs and geysers up to three miles underground can be accessed by special wells that bring the hot water (or steam from it) up to the surface where it can be used directly for heat or indirectly to generate electricity by powering rotating turbines.

"Since the water under the Earth’s surface is constantly replenished, and the Earth’s core will continue to generate heat indefinitely, geothermal power is ultimately clean and renewable...

"The Obama administration has set aside $750 million for geothermal development, and Congress has also been generous, allocating $129 million to the Department of Energy for various geothermal programs."