Sen. Wyden speaks on importance of geologic mapping for geothermal energy

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) spoke about the importance of geologic mapping today as keynote speaker at the Geothermal Energy Association's Geothermal Energy Technology and International Development Forum in Washington, DC. The senator talked about his commitment to geothermal energy and laid out 4 priorities:

1. remove hurdles to development, especially on federal lands
2. foster collaboration between DOE and Interior, for more geologic mapping and exploration. He urged more of the kind of work for geothermal that the USGS used to do for other natural resources
3. offer the same tax credits for geothermal as we do for solar
4. noting that the states have done the heavy lifting in establishing Renewable Portfolio Standards, the U.S. should pursue national standards

He spoke eloquently and knowledgeably about the importance of geologic mapping. He is second in seniority on the Senate Energy Committee, chairs the Sub-Comm on Trade, and is second in seniority on Senate Energy.
We had a table exhibit for the AASG State Geotherrmal Data project at the Forum and got tremendous response to the live demo we ran with data services coming from many of your surveys.

Below, video of Sen. Wyden in 2009 hearing on renewable energy development on federal lands.