ABSTRACT
As with any construction project, development of geothermal resources has environmental impacts; however, these impacts, compared to those produced from fossilfueled power sources and even other renewable energy sources, are small and rather benign. The potential impacts explored include the following:
• Gaseous emissions to the atmosphere • Land usage • Solids emissions to the surface and atmosphere • Water usage • Noise pollution • Alteration of natural views • Land subsidence (sinking) • Induced seismicity • Disturbance of existing surface hydrothermal manifestations (geysers, hot
springs, etc.)
These environmental effects can be categorized, based on their degree of impact, as either environmental advantages or environmental challenges. The environmental challenges are those mainly unique to developing geothermal resources and consist principally of potential land subsidence, induced seismicity, and potential disturbance of existing natural geothermal features.
