State announced as finalist for advanced geothermal lab

LAS VEGAS — Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced Wednesday Nevada is a finalist to host the Department of Energy’s new Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal (FORGE) laboratory.

“Nevada will be the perfect location ‎for the Department of Energy’s new Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal (FORGE) laboratory. The nation’s lab for advancing geothermal energy belongs in Nevada and will further establish Nevada as a leader in renewable energy,” said Reid. “Enhanced Geothermal Systems are the next frontier in clean energy, and they are an enormous opportunity for the Silver State’s economic growth. I thank President Obama and Secretary Moniz for their ongoing commitment to expanding the scale and benefits of geothermal energy across the country.”

Early in 2015, Reid worked with the Navy and several stakeholders to ensure the location of the site didn’t conflict with the Fallon Naval Air Station.

Clean energy advocates with the RenewNV coalition applauded Reid’s announcement.

“Nevada has consistently proven to be a leader in the renewable energy industry and would be the best location for the next frontier in clean energy – enhanced geothermal systems,” said Annette Magnus, executive director of Battle Born Progress, a nonprofit group supporting a clean energy economy in Nevada. “Not only would this mean research jobs in Nevada, it would help cement the state’s renewable energy economy for generations to come. We thank the Obama Administration for their continued commitment to clean energy.”

The FORGE program has been allocated $29 million in funding by the U.S. Department of Energy.