An early look at geothermal energy in Washington – Department of Ecology – State of Washington (.gov)

Report on Washington State’s Geothermal Energy Collaborative Process

Introduction: Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals

In support of Washington’s strategic transition towards renewable energy sources, a new collaborative process has been initiated to evaluate the potential of the state’s geothermal energy resources. This initiative directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Geothermal energy, derived from the Earth’s natural heat, offers a pathway to generate electricity with zero greenhouse gas emissions, thus providing a clean, reliable power source. Despite its potential, no geothermal energy projects are currently proposed for development in Washington, highlighting the exploratory nature of this process.

Collaborative Framework and Stakeholder Engagement

The process is founded on a multi-agency partnership, exemplifying SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). State partners include the Washington departments of Archeology and Historic Preservation, Commerce, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources. A core objective is to facilitate comprehensive engagement with communities, Tribal nations, and other interested parties. Over the next 18 months, a series of workshops, both in-person and virtual, will be conducted to share information and gather critical feedback regarding concerns and potential impacts of geothermal development. This inclusive approach ensures that the transition to clean energy is equitable and considers diverse perspectives, aligning with the principles of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Geographic Areas of Focus and Resource Assessment

The collaborative effort will concentrate on three specific geographic areas identified by the Washington Geological Survey (housed within the Department of Natural Resources) as having significant geothermal resource potential. The assessment of these areas is a critical step toward achieving the targets of SDG 7.

• Mount Baker area in northwest Washington
• Mount St. Helens area in southwest Washington
• Wind River valley area, south of Mount St. Helens

The Department of Natural Resources has provided an interactive story map detailing the science of geothermal energy and the rationale for identifying these specific locations as favorable for development. The primary goal is to utilize this data to understand local and statewide considerations for future studies.

Objectives and Potential Impacts

The overarching objective is to identify potential risks and opportunities associated with geothermal energy development. This includes assessing environmental impacts to protect local ecosystems, a key component of SDG 15 (Life on Land), while also exploring the potential for economic growth and job creation, which supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By proactively evaluating these factors, the state aims to create a sustainable framework for any future development.

Public Consultation and Information Dissemination

To ensure transparency and public participation, two initial virtual meetings are scheduled for November to provide information and solicit feedback on the opportunities and concerns surrounding geothermal energy development.

1. Thursday, Nov. 6 virtual meeting from 1:30-3 p.m.
   Register on Zoom
2. Wednesday, Nov. 12 virtual meeting from 9-10:30 a.m.
   Register on Zoom

Additional resources, including an informational presentation and video, are available for review. Further workshops are planned for early next year. All inquiries regarding the state’s collaborative process can be directed to cleanenergy@ecy.wa.gov.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Washington’s geothermal energy exploration directly addresses or connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis identifies the following primary and related SDGs:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: This is the most central SDG, as the article’s entire focus is on developing geothermal energy, which is described as a “clean, reliable energy” source to support the “transition to generating power and electricity using renewable energy sources.”
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly links geothermal energy development to climate action by stating its potential to provide energy “without emitting climate-changing greenhouse gases.” This directly supports efforts to combat climate change.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The initiative is described as a “new collaborative process.” It highlights partnerships among “multiple state agencies” (including Commerce, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources) and active engagement with “communities, Tribes and interested parties” through workshops and feedback sessions.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The process involves identifying “potential risks” in specific geographic areas like Mount Baker and Mount St. Helens. The involvement of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the focus on understanding potential impacts before development imply a consideration for protecting terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The development of geothermal energy represents an investment in new, sustainable energy infrastructure. It is an innovative approach to upgrading the state’s power generation capabilities with clean technology.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 7.2: “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.” The article’s main goal is to support “Washington’s transition to generating power and electricity using renewable energy sources,” specifically by exploring geothermal energy. This directly aligns with increasing the share of renewables.
2. Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The state-led collaborative process to develop a renewable energy source explicitly to avoid “climate-changing greenhouse gases” is a clear example of integrating climate mitigation strategies into state-level energy planning.
3. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article details a multi-stakeholder partnership involving various state agencies, Tribes, and local communities to guide the development of geothermal resources, which is the essence of this target.
4. Target 15.9: “By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes…” The process of seeking “input from interested parties about the three areas with geothermal resource potential to better understand local and statewide considerations and potential risks” before development begins is a direct application of this target at the state and local level.
5. Target 9.4: “By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies…” Exploring and potentially developing geothermal power plants is a direct effort to build and upgrade energy infrastructure with a clean and sustainable technology.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article, being about the initiation of a process, implies several indicators that can be used to measure future progress:

• Indicator for Target 7.2: The share of geothermal energy in Washington’s total energy production. The article provides a clear baseline by stating, “Currently, there are no geothermal energy projects being proposed for development in Washington.” Progress would be measured by the number of projects developed and the amount of electricity they generate.
• Indicator for Target 13.2: The existence and implementation of a state-level plan for renewable energy transition. The “collaborative process” itself is an indicator of this planning. Future progress could be measured by the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s energy sector.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The number and diversity of stakeholders engaged in the collaborative process. The article mentions “multiple state agencies,” “Tribes,” and “interested parties.” Progress can be measured by the number of workshops held, the number of participants, and the formal inclusion of feedback from these groups in planning documents.
• Indicator for Target 15.9: The completion of environmental and social risk assessments for the identified potential development areas (Mount Baker, Mount St. Helens, Wind River valley). The process of gathering “feedback about concerns and potential impacts” is a preliminary step towards this.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ecology.wa.gov