Exclusive Tour of Geothermal Complex Kicks Off First Ever GEA National Geothermal Summit

Paul Thomsen, GEA Board President and Director for Ormat Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Reno, Nev., remarked, “Ormat is thrilled to be a gold level sponsor for this important national Summit, which has brought together key decision makers to address the most pressing issues facing the industry. Geothermal energy provides clean, domestic, base-load electricity to Nevada and the nation. GEA estimates 144 projects in development, which will require $26 billion in capital if they can get through the permitting process to the construction phase. In order to unleash the vast geothermal potential, we must streamline the permitting process. This Summit will address issues and create an inter-agency dialogue among many key players in the industry.”

Stoel Rives LLP, also a gold level sponsor for the Summit, is uniquely connected with and involved in renewable energy in general and geothermal energy in particular. “We are long time supporters of the geothermal industry and understand the tremendous value it offers as base-load renewable energy, two important features that are rarely found in the same source of energy,” said John McKinsey, Partner, Stoel Rives, LLP. “Stoel Rives recognizes the GEA as the leading organization capable of taking geothermal energy to new levels of penetration in the United States and worldwide.”

GEA Honors: Tues., Aug. 16, 6:00pm: Grand Sierra Resort and Casino

This evening, GEA will honor the winners of its inaugural GEA Honors at an awards dinner designed to recognize the individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to the development of the geothermal industry.

GEA Honors will be awarded to GEA member companies in three distinct areas:

• Technological Advancement – Awarded to an individual or company that has developed a new, innovative or pioneering technology to further geothermal development. Winner: TAS Energy Inc.
• Economic Development – Awarded to an individual or company that has made a substantial contribution to the development of local, regional or national markets through the development of geothermal systems. Winner: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
• Environmental Stewardship – Awarded to individual or company that has fostered outstanding environmental stewardship through the use of geothermal systems. These award nominations were evaluated by and will be presented in conjunction with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). Winner: EnergySource LLC/Hudson Ranch 1

Mayor Cashell welcome address: Wed., Aug. 17, 8:30am: Grand Sierra Resort and Casino

Tomorrow’s program will begin with a welcome address from the Honorable Bob Cashell, Mayor of Reno, who remarked: “The City of Reno is proud to have 100 megawatts of geothermal power, enough to supply the entire residential load, permitted and being produced within the city limits. We are excited that experts from around the country and world are coming to Reno to learn more about geothermal development."

Exhibit Hall: Grand Sierra Resort and Casino

The GEA National Geothermal Summit will bring together business and policy leaders to address the most pressing issues for the industry, including: the outlook for Washington D.C. and the western states, building new transmission projects in the west, new renewable energy policy developments in California, and moving geothermal forward on public lands. An Expo Hall will feature government agencies, universities and leading geothermal developers from the growing geothermal industry. The general public can visit the Exhibit Hall and participate in the plenary sessions for a registration fee of $50. Student registration is complimentary with valid student ID. For the event agenda or to register, visit http://www.geo-energy.org/nationalgeothermalsummit/main.aspx. Registration will also be available at the door.

The Exhibit Hall will feature the full range of geothermal industry producers, suppliers, manufacturers and vendors including: Allied Washoe Petroleum; Arizona Geological Survey; Building and Construction Trades Council No. NV; Bureau of Land Management; City of Reno; Ecology and Environment, Inc.; EMPSi; GE Power & Water; Geothermal Development Associates; Helidyne; Horizon Well Logging; JBR Environmental Consultants; Laborer's Union Local 169; National Geothermal Academy, Nevada Division of Minerals; Nevada Geothermal Power; Pratt & Whitney Power Systems; Rain for Rent; Rockwell Automation; Sierra Environmental Monitoring; SpecTIR; Stoel Rives LLP; TAS Energy Inc.; ThermaSource; Truckee Meadows Community College; U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technology Program; Western Cultural Research Management, Inc. (WCRM); Western Environmental Testing Laboratory (WetLab).

“The upcoming year promises to be robust for the geothermal industry as numerous projects are switching from planning  phases to full-fledged geothermal power plants,” said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. “This Summit will address the opportunities and challenges that many projects face as they develop and enter the drilling and production phase, which is a great source for job creation.”

For information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kathy Kent at 202.454.5263 or kathy@geo-energy.org. Requests for media credentials should be directed to Adam Daley, The Rosen Group, at 646 695 7043 or adam@rosengrouppr.com. 

About the Geothermal Energy Association:

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a trade association composed of U.S. companies who support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. GEA advocates for public policies that will promote the development and utilization of geothermal resources, provides a forum for the industry to discuss issues and problems, encourages research and development to improve geothermal technologies, presents industry views to governmental organizations, provides assistance for the export of geothermal goods and services, compiles statistical data about the geothermal industry, and conducts education and outreach projects. For more information, please visit http://www.geo-energy.org/.  Follow GEA on Twitter.  Become a fan on Facebook.