My Two Cents

Jul 16 2009 2:07PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |
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By Susan Bady

The earth is moving for residents of Anderson Springs, Calif., and not in a good way. A geothermal energy project underway in the mountains above this small town has homeowners worried about increased seismic activity. As reported in a Sacramento Bee article this week, over the past 20 years the region has experienced between 13 and 32 quakes each year greater than 3.0 on the Richter scale, in addition to thousands of smaller quakes. There have been six earthquakes in the past two weeks alone.

San Francisco startup AltaRock Energy is drilling more than two miles into bedrock to tap a steam reservoir that would drive electric turbines. If it works, geothermal power could be developed anywhere there is hot, solid rock within a few miles of the Earth's surface. 

However, Anderson Springs residents are concerned that the drilling could trigger a much bigger quake. Seismologists say the chances of that happening are remote. And yet the people of Anderson Springs are quick to point out that they aren't opposed to geothermal -- they just want to see it done right. I guess you could say they've embraced clean energy despite the risks.