Geothermal Industry to gather in Washington, D.C. for the release of GEA's Yearly Update

Washington, D.C. (January 17, 2013) – Registration is now open for the Geothermal Energy Association's State of the Geothermal Energy Industry Briefing (#GEABriefing2013), to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The event will convene geothermal industry leaders, congressional staffers and government agencies for the release of the 2013 Annual GEA Industry Update, as well as a discussion by key corporate and policy insiders about what is required to move the industry forward.

"After a sustained period of growth in the geothermal industry, all eyes are on recent developments to see if this progress will continue. The GEA State of the Geothermal Energy Industry Briefing will bring geothermal and policy leaders together for a comprehensive look at our industry's U.S. growth over the past year," said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. "It is an exciting time to be part of the U.S. geothermal industry, as policies at the national and state levels stand to foster significant growth. The GEA Industry Briefing will further delineate the steps needed to ensure continued expansion."

The event's half-day agenda will feature prominent geothermal industry and government agency speakers discussing issues including key opportunities and obstacles for industry growth in the United States, advancements in geothermal technology, and ways to shorten permitting time for new geothermal projects. Confirmed speakers include Jonathan Weisgall, Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, MidAmerican Energy Holdings; Kathy Benedetto, House Resources Committee; Tom Williams, Laboratory Program Manager, Geothermal Technologies National Renewable Energy Laboratory; John Fox, CEO, ElectraTherm; Paul Thomsen, Director, Policy and Business Development, Ormat Technologies; Joe Greco, Senior Vice President, Terra-Gen Power; Ann Robertson-Tait, GeothermEx; and David Blackwell, Southern Methodist University.

In 2012, seven new geothermal projects and additions came online in three different states, totaling 147.05 MW of gross capacity. This represents the second highest increase in geothermal power capacity over a calendar year since the production tax credit (PTC) was extended to geothermal in 2005, and a 5% percent increase over 2011 year-end data. The capacity added in 2012 would meet the residential needs of a city the size of Vancouver, Washington or Kansas City, Kansas. Projects and new additions came online in states including California, Nevada and Oregon. Geothermal projects in stage 3 or 4 of development are located in those states as well as Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, Alaska and Wyoming. Additionally, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technology - the process of extracting heat from engineered reservoirs through fluid injection and rock stimulation - represents the opportunity to tap into staggering geothermal potential in other states as well.

For a complete schedule or to register for the State of the Geothermal Energy Industry Briefing, please visit http://geo-energy.org/events/International_GE_Finance_Forum_Apr_11_2013.aspx.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kathy Kent, 202 454 5263, kathy@geo-energy.org; to request press credentials, please contact Shawna Seldon, The Rosen Group, 917 971 7852 or shawna@rosengrouppr.com.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #GEABriefing2013; RSVP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/events/159778134170217/.

About the Geothermal Energy Association:

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a trade association comprised of U.S. companies who support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal Resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. GEA advocates for public policies that will promote the development and utilization of geothermal Resources, provides a forum for the industry to discuss issues and problems, encourages research and development to improve geothermal technologies, presents industry views to governmental organizations, provides assistance for the export of geothermal goods and services, compiles statistical data about the geothermal industry, and conducts education and outreach projects. For more information, please visit http://www.geo-energy.org/. Check out GEA's YouTube Channel. Follow GEA on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.