PA Environment Digest Blog: Project InnerSpace Launches Cross-Collaborative Future of Oil/Gas Well-Based Geothermal In Pennsylvania Study

On December 20, Project InnerSpace announced the kick-off of two additional state-specific geothermal studies in Oklahoma and Pennsylvania—two historically significant traditional U.S. energy states.

Slated for publication in the summer of 2024, the “Future of Geothermal in Pennsylvania” and “Future of Geothermal in Oklahoma” reports will analyze the location and quality of each state’s geothermal resources—i.e., the naturally occurring heat energy in the Earth's subsurface.

The reports will further evaluate the potential size and scale of geothermal as an abundant clean energy resource, the role of each state’s oil and gas industry in realizing rapid growth, and other environmental, regulatory, and legal issues relevant to each state’s respective stakeholders.

The studies will provide a scientific basis for informed decision-making as governments, industry, and other stakeholders consider increased geothermal energy development.

“Clean, renewable energy is critically important for Pennsylvania’s economy, our residents’ air quality, and our communities’ success—and this report offers a potential roadmap for harnessing geothermal energy in Pennsylvania,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “The Shapiro Administration is focused on advancing an energy policy that ensures a diverse and reliable ecosystem of energy resources that protects the environment, creates jobs, and protects consumers. We are excited to explore this report and continue collaborating with stakeholders on innovative ways to diversify our energy portfolio.”

In an increasingly polarized world, geothermal occupies a rare political and social space where environmental and climate-focused groups and oil and gas entities can unite to support the same cause, and it is at this nexus that Project InnerSpace focuses its funding and efforts.

“What we saw in Texas when we published the Future of Geothermal in Texas is that all types of stakeholders came out of the woodwork in support—stakeholder groups who are not accustomed to collaborating together or even agreeing on a common set of facts,” said Jamie Beard, Executive Director of Project InnerSpace. “The Texas report catalyzed fast bipartisan action in support of geothermal during a legislative session where other alternative energy sources lost ground. This signaled an opportunity to work across the aisle that we are leaning into hard and fast with our work in Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.”

Collaborators for the studies include researchers from Pennsylvania State University, Drexel University, Villanova University, and Washington & Jefferson University.

Project InnerSpace supports the “Future of Geothermal" report series as part of its state Geothermal Coalition program.

In late 2024, additional state-specific geothermal studies will launch in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and West Virginia.

Visit the Project InnerSpace website for more information.

Presentation To PA Conventional Operators

On May 25, representatives of Project Innerspace made a presentation to the PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council to try to interest the conventional operators in diversifying their operations to include drilling deep wells to find sources of heat energy to do everything from commercial heating, pasteurizing milk, supporting manufacturing operations and generating electricity.

They said oil and gas operators in Texas and Oklahoma are also exploring the co-production of oil and natural gas and heat energy from these geothermal wells.

They pointed to CNX as one gas drilling company in Pennsylvania that has a team of people working on drilling for geothermal energy.

Pennsylvania has tremendous potential for geothermal energy from underground abandoned coal mine water pools as well [Read more here] and federal funding is available to develop this resource [Read more here].]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 16 to 22 - 46% More Conventional NOVs; More Abandoned Wells; Conventional Well Fire; Venting Gas, Spills, Plugging Mess [PaEN]

-- Conventional Oil Well Storage Tanks Burn In McKean County, 6 Local Fire Companies Respond [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industry Compliance So Far In 2023 - It Isn’t Pretty [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - December 23 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 56 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 23 PA Bulletin [PaEN]