Editorial views from across the state

Cascade Mountains could become a source of geothermal power production

Harnessing heat that is trapped deep beneath the Cascade Mountains might sound like a cutting-edge pursuit of a renewable energy source. Indeed, as a story in Tuesday's Columbian reported, scientists are now to gauge the potential of the Cascades' geothermal energy, and there has been little exploration and no deep test holes drilled in the region.

But geothermal energy has been used to produce power for more than a century, and the world's largest collection of geothermal power plants — The Geysers, near Santa Rosa, Calif. — has been in operation for almost a half-century. Blending the cutting-edge technology and the proven track record of geothermal power could boost the United States toward energy independence. So, we're glad to learn that steam and heat beneath the Cascades could become a part of the effort. With the stipulation that geothermal power production must be pursued with respect to the environment and without diminishing the Northwest's high quality of life, we say let's get on with measuring and tapping the heat beneath us.

Tuesday's story, written by Les Blumenthal of McClatchy-Tribune Information Service, noted that magma is closer to the surface in the Cascades, and the energy could be easier to tap. A Department of Energy report explained that the Cascades contain "potentially significant" geothermal resources. An Oregon company is waiting for leases from the Forest Service to pursue a geothermal plant at Baker Lake, near Mount Baker in northwestern Washington. On the Cascades' eastern slopes, energy firms are considering geothermal projects in Yakima and Kittitas counties.

Could geothermal energy production gain traction in or near Clark County? Chris Strebig, spokesman for Gifford Pinchot National Forest, told us on Tuesday that forest officials are not aware of any lease applications or other interest expressed by geothermal power companies. But the federal Bureau of Land Management last summer announced its increased attention to geothermal leasing throughout the West. And USDA Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell said the agency will cooperate with the BLM. "Enhancing our nation's energy needs through safe and clean energy is an important focus of the Department of Agriculture and a proper use of our public lands," Kimbell said.

Geothermal power is considered by most scientists to be relatively safe and clean, and virtually renewable, although some experts say not as renewable as hydropower. California and Nevada produce much of the nation's geothermal power, but the Northwest, Utah and New Mexico are also believed to have vast resources of untapped heat. Energy independence can and should be pursued in concert with respect for the environment.

— The Columbian, Vancouver, Jan. 23