The past, present and future of Idaho’s geothermal power

MALTA – In the past two years, you’ve probably heard a lot about Idaho’s potential for wind power. Same with hydroelectricity, solar technologies and now ethanol.

But perhaps Idaho’s most lucrative green energy source has been under our feet the whole time: geothermal power. It’s relatively inexpensive, plentiful, environmentally friendly to the extreme, and it may just be the key to staving off a potential energy crisis.

Geothermal energy has been linked with the Gem state since Idaho joined the Union in 1890, and even before then when Indians bathed in geothermal waters. Early settlers used the boiling-hot water to scald hair off of farm animals.

By 1892, Boise was using geothermal heat to warm its buildings. Many homes and public buildings in the City of Trees are still heated by geothermal waters.

Times-News (Idaho)