DENVER—The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will release its study of the environmental impact of geothermal energy development on two blocks of land in southeastern Gunnison County.
The study to be released Thursday examines the effects of tapping into geothermal energy on 4,586 acres of BLM land and 400 acres of private land, along with 3,765 acres of forest land. Both blocks are near Tomichi Dome and the Waunita Hot Springs.
The BLM will accept public comment until Dec. 4.
The BLM is offering the first geothermal lease on federal land in Colorado Nov. 10. The proposed lease is on 799 acres near Mount Princeton Hot Spring Resort in Chaffee (CHAY’-fee) County. Geothermal plants tap into hot water beneath the surface to turn turbines to generate electricity.
