New Mexico Geological Society Annual Spring Meeting — Abstracts

Geothermal installations are relatively benign compared to most conventional power schemes. For example, geothermal power plants release ≤7% of the CO2 released by an equivalent natural gas-fired plant. However, any large-scale geothermal construction project produces visual impacts on the landscape, creates noise and wastes, and may adversely affect local hot spring systems. The following list of environmental and safety issues are usually addressed during development stages of geothermal resources: 1. H₂S pollution of atmosphere, 2. Brine pollution of groundwater, 3. Impacts on hot spring systems and potential for hydrothermal explosions, 4. Landslides, 5. Reservoir interference and depletion, 6. Ground subsidence, 7. Inducted seismicity, and 8. Earthquake and volcanic hazards. Items 2, 3 and 5 are probably the most important issues in low- to intermediate-temperature geothermal developments (170°C) in Quaternary volcanic regions such as The Geysers, California and would be considered at any future development in the Valles caldera, New Mexico. Proactive measures to mitigate potential environmental problems are beneficial to the long-term health and financial well being of commercial geothermal developments.