The BLM, pursuant to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, as amended, is responsible for leasing Federal lands and reviewing permit applications for geothermal development.
Geothermal energy is heat derived from the earth.
It is the thermal energy contained in the rock and fluid that fills the fractures and pores within the rock in the earth's crust. Geothermal resources, in reservoirs of steam or hot water, are available in several western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. The highest temperature resources are generally used only for electric power generation. Low and moderate temperature geothermal resources are used for heating of buildings, industrial processes, greenhouses, and aquaculture. BLM's Geothermal Program Much of the geothermal activity on Federal lands takes place in California and Nevada.