State looks to more geothermal development, with benefits

In Idaho, the Department of Land is pushing for more development of geothermal sites on endowment lands, a move that could ultimately boost money heading to the state’s schools. The influx of geothermal companies eyeing Idaho’s geothermal resources prompted state officials to tweak rules for leases on those lands. Idaho’s endowment lands, overseen by the state Board of Land Commissioners, are managed for maximum profit over time and yield revenues that primarily benefit public schools. The panel, which includes the states governor and four other elected officials, has voted to declare the southern half of the state as a known geothermal resource area.