There are four energy forms that Western Colorado should be not just actively pursuing but rapidly pursuing.
We have an abundance of the fuels just going to waste out there every day.
Geothermal energy is one.
Another is biomass with our strong farming and ranching base.
The capture of methane from coal mines.
The capture of energy in the heat and gasses that are a by-product of numerous burning underground coal fires.
"GYPSUM, Colorado — It's taken longer than initially predicted, but the plan to explore geothermal possibilities in Gypsum is still in the works.
Flint Eagle LLC first approached the town of Gypsum in 2010, asking for cooperation in drilling an exploratory well at the Eagle County Regional Airport. The well would be about 4,000 feet deep and 77⁄8 inches in diameter — just enough to test the water temperature, volume and chemistry.
Lee Robinson, of Flint Eagle, hopes to find water in the Rio Grande Rift that's hot enough to use for heating or energy. The concept of going that deep is a relatively new one. Most geothermal resources that are used today are much closer to the Earth's surface.
Since he first approached the town of Gypsum, the permitting has become more involved than initially predicted. Mineral and water rights had to be determined first, and now Robinson is working with the Department of Water Resources for permits that clarify and stipulate all the procedures that will be used for the well.
“Right now, it's a paper process,” Robinson said. “It details how the operation will be conducted but there is nothing that is controversial. Our objective now is to test the volume, chemistry and temperature.”
Robinson hopes to get a draft permit within the first quarter of 2012. If that happens, he would be drilling the exploratory well within a year.
“The permit would stipulate when the operations occur,” he said. “These things take time. We're still very much on the radar, though.”
Aspen is drilling for a potential geothermal resource, as well. In July, the Aspen City Council obtained a permit to drill as deep as 1,500 feet. Last week, the exploratory well reached 1,000 feet — where the water was predicted to be — but had yet to reach anything. The company doing the drilling believed it was close, however, according to the Aspen Daily News.
Geothermal and geo-exchange projects are proliferating in this part of Colorado as technology improves...."
(Derek Franz)
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