page_title: Geothermal energy in the United States
section_title: Production
hierarchical_section_title: Geothermal energy in the United States / Production
caption_attribution_description: English: Geothermal Production in the United States
context_page_description: Geothermal energy in the United States was first used for electric power production in 1960. The Geysers in Sonoma and Lake counties, California was developed into what is now the largest geothermal steam electrical plant in the world, at 1,517 megawatts. Other geothermal steam fields are known in the western United States and Alaska. Geothermally generated electric power can be dispatchable to follow the demands of changing loads. Environmental impact of this energy source includes hydrogen sulfide emissions, corrosive or saline chemicals discharged in waste water, possible seismic effects from water injection into rock formations, waste heat and noise.
context_section_description: With 3,676 MW of installed geothermal capacity as of 2019, the United States remains the world leader with about 25% of the online capacity total. The future outlook for expanded production from conventional and enhanced geothermal systems is positive as new technologies promise increased growth in locations previously not considered.
caption: Existing and planned US geothermal power generation, in April 2015
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