Pools of blue steaming water in Jemez, Truth or Consequences, and across the state attract tourists and locals to the natural hot springs. People have been using hot springs for a range of reasons, mostly tied to holistic, pain, and stress relief. Typically hot springs are used for spa related treatments, but what if we told you those same hot springs can be used for geothermal energy generation?
Geothermal has been used for generations in New Mexico, from the healing purposes mentioned above to heating adobe homes in the winter. New Mexico has the potential to tap into almost half its area for geothermal energy in a manner that would not inhibit other energy generation locations while still adding to our energy diversification. We would add jobs to those areas and create stronger economies both at local and state level.
Since 2010, New Mexico Tech University has said geothermal energy was highly underutilized. There has been some push-back on the proper regulation of geothermal energy in the state, but there wouldn’t be that problem if New Mexico pushed more for geothermal research. As early as the 2000s, New Mexico has looked into using geothermal for energy purposes; however, that research was halted when the Martinez Administration came into power. To date, there is only one geothermal plant in New Mexico (located in the Lordsburg area).
We can have safe, consistent power if we tapped into geothermal and elevate New Mexico into the leader in utility geothermal. New Mexico can build back up its economy, offer job opportunities, and use new technology to make geothermal a future for New Mexico and the United States.
Sources:
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/ECMD/RenewableEnergy/geothermal.html
https://www.energy.gov/eere/geothermal/geothermal-maps
https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/publications/periodicals/litegeology/28/lg_v28.pdf
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mitsubishiheavyindustries/2020/02/26/this-new-mexico-power-plant-uses-geothermal-energy-in-a-new-way-video/?sh=2b0583ee35fc
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2019/03/28/new-mexico-green-energy-project-reveals-dangers-geothermal-power/3295505002/