Construction of geothermal wells in Beaver County

BEAVER COUNTY, Utah — One of the nation’s largest geothermal energy projects is under construction in Beaver County.

125 different wells are being drilled near Milford. Geothermal energy isn’t as clean as wind and solar, but Dusty Monks, interim director of the Utah Energy Development Office, said geothermal energy is more reliable.

“It produces energy 24 hours a day. And that energy is available,” Monks said. “So it’s more predictable. It’s more in line with the consumer’s needs… Their need never ends (and) it never sleeps.”

As for construction costs, Monks said we already know a little about drilling for oil that will help with that.

“It’s exciting to be able to use this type of technology to really unlock Utah’s potential,” Monks said. “And Utah has a lot of it.”

He emphasizes that we will not use geothermal energy alone.

“There’s a lot of demand for energy,” Monks said. “So Utah is definitely making sure that we’re focusing on a proactive growth pattern and trying to avoid the destructive removal pattern that we’re seeing across the country.”

Gas, coal and renewable energy all have a place in Utah’s energy future, especially as our population grows.

MicrophoneHANDel Kamit is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio.

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