Ormat Receives Geothermal Environmental Stewardship Award

Ormat has taken steps to reduce the impact of its geothermal plants on Sage Grouse habitat On August 7, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) recognized leaders in the geothermal industry, which harnesses the Earth's internal heat to generate electricity and heat buildings, with the GEA Honors. "The GEA Honors recognize the companies and individuals that represent the very best aspects of the geothermal industry—one that is providing clean, baseload power to Americans nationwide," said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. "GEA would also like to recognize the geothermal community as a whole for working to secure America's energy future."

EESI is proud to partner with GEA in support of the Environmental Stewardship award, one of the three main awards presented by the association. This year's Environmental Stewardship award went to Ormat Technologies, Inc. , in recognition of the precautions Ormat took to preserve sage grouse habitats during the construction of its Tuscarora and McGinness Hills geothermal facilities, which provide a combined 48 MW of power to Nevada consumers.

With at least 10 leks (breeding areas) around the Tuscarora facility and 4 leks around the McGinness Hills facility, protecting the sage grouse became a priority in construction. Ormat schedules plant work and deliveries so as not to interfere with the bird's breeding season, and will track lek attendance for 10 years in order to adjust its practices to the needs of the sage grouse. The company will voluntarily fund habitat enhancements in order to make up for the habitat disruption caused by its geothermal plants.

In addition to Ormat Technologies, the GEA Honors recognized Enel Green Power North America for Technological Advancement and Ram Power/Polaris Energia for Economic Development. The GEA Honors dinner kicked off GEA's second annual National Geothermal Summit which brought companies, experts, and public officials together in Sacramento, CA, to discuss the challenges and potential of geothermal power (EESI's April 26 briefing examined geothermal energy's potential as a carbon-free baseload power source).

Photo Caption and Credit:
The Sage Grouse is on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered Species list. Photo taken by Stephen Ting for the Pacific Southwest Region USFWS via flickr

Sources:
Ormat Press Release
Environmental Assessment: Tuscarora Facility
Environmental Assessment: McGinness Hills Facility