Elimination of Federal Funds for the Heber Project will Impede Full Development and Use of Hydrothermal Resources.
Abstract
High-temperature hydrothermal resources have a significant potential for generating electricity which can help reduce the Nation's dependence on fossil fuels. The majority of these resources, however, can only be efficiently used with binary cycle geothermal technology. The Department of Energy was sharing the cost of the Heber binary cycle geothermal demonstration project to show the viability of binary cycle geothermal powerplants and stimulate the use of this technology. However, the administration has proposed to eliminate Federal funding of this project. The administration believes that private industry should solely undertake this demonstration project. The elimination of Federal funding for this project could cause it to be terminated. Private industry currently cannot undertake this project, because of its high technical risks and economic uncertainties, without the assistance of the Government.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA106916
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office