Skip Links

USGS - science for a changing world

Fact Sheet 2008-3082

>> Pubs Warehouse > FS 2008-3082

National Geothermal Resources—Fact Sheet

Assessment of Moderate- and High-Temperature Geothermal Resources of the United States

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (7.6 MB)Download Publication
Fact Sheet 2008-3082
PDF (7.6 MB)

Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed an assessment of our Nation’s geothermal resources. Geothermal power plants are currently operating in six states: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. The assessment indicates that the electric power generation potential from identified geothermal systems is 9,057 Megawatts-electric (MWe), distributed over 13 states. The mean estimated power production potential from undiscovered geothermal resources is 30,033 MWe. Additionally, another estimated 517,800 MWe could be generated through implementation of technology for creating geothermal reservoirs in regions characterized by high temperature, but low permeability, rock formations.

Version 1.0

Posted September 2008
Suggested citation:

Williams, Colin F., Reed, Marshall J., Mariner, Robert H., DeAngelo, Jacob, Galanis, S. Peter, Jr., 2008, Assessment of moderate- and high-temperature geothermal resources of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2008-3082, 4 p.


This report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); version 6 or higher of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2008/3082/
Page Contact: Energy Program Inquiries
Website Assistance: Contact USGS
Created: Monday, September 29, 2008 6:30 AM PDT
Last modified: Monday, November 18, 2008 (mfd)