- Speakers Announced for State of the Geothermal Industry Briefing 2015

WASHINGTON---Geothermal power plants are a leading provider of permanent, on-site employment in California and the West. As part of its annual industry assessment roll out, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) released preliminary data showing that there were 3,150 permanent, on-site employees at their power plants, or 1.17 permanent jobs per megawatt installed. This is 19 times reported onsite employment of wind projects and 5 times reported onsite employment for solar projects according to GEA.

"In addition to environmental and reliability benefits, geothermal power has important economic values to local communities," noted Ben Matek, GEA's Industry Analyst & Research Projects Manager. "While geothermal produces many more construction and manufacturing jobs, as do most technologies, we believe it is a leader in creating stable, permanent employment in the communities in which geothermal plants operate."

GEA will be releasing employment and other data on the U.S. and global geothermal power industry at its State of the Geothermal Energy Industry Briefing less than a month away. The GEA today also announced its full slate of speakers including leaders in geothermal development, finance, technology and policy. The GEA will distribute the 2015 installation of its annual industry update to attendees of this event. It includes statistical updates on the U.S. and global geothermal market including new capacity online, how much is developing and in what regions around the world. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

The event's full-day agenda will include discussions on key opportunities and obstacles for industry growth in the United States and around the world, multilateral and private finance, the role of technological advancements in geothermal development, and policy and regulatory issues impacting the geothermal industry. Prominent industry and government speakers include Doug Glaspey, President, US Geothermal, Inc.; Bob Sullivan, Senior VP Business Development, Ormat Technologies, Inc.; Jack Thirolf, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Enel Green Power North America; Gunnar Orn Gunnarsson, COO, Reykjavik Geothermal; Pierre Audinet, Clean Energy Program Team Leader, ESMAP Program, The World Bank; Mafalda Duarte, Program Manager, Climate Investment Funds; Tracy Sizemore, Vice President of Business Development, Simbol Minerals; Kathy Benedetto, House Resources Committee; Chuck Kleeshulte, Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski; Jeremy Harrell, Office of Senator Dean Heller; and Ryan Mulvenon, Policy Advisor, Office of Senator Harry Reid, among others.

To register for the State of the Geothermal Energy Industry Briefing, please visit http://www.geo-energy.org/events/2015/Geothermal_Industry_Briefing_2015.aspx.

For sponsorship opportunities or to request press credentials, please contact Kathy Kent Schott 202 454 5263, kathy@geo-energy.org.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #GEABriefing2015.

About the Geothermal Energy Association:
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a trade association comprised of U.S. companies that support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. For more information, please visit www.geo-energy.org. Subscribe to GEA's newsletter here. Follow GEA on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.