According to a recent report from MIT, "a cumulative capacity of more than 100,000 MW from enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) can be achieved in the United States within 50 years with a modest, multiyear federal investment for R&D in several field projects in the United States."Currently only 3,000 MW�or 3% of that potential�is installed in the U.S.

In May 2007, the GEA issued a report that identified 74 new geothermal power projects in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. According to the GEA, these projects will double U.S. geothermal power capacity to almost 6,000 MW.

Another report on the international market, which the GEA released in April, identified 40 countries with geothermal power development underway-and projected a 50% growth in power production worldwide by 2010.

"We have seen dramatic new interest in the geothermal industry," said Karl Gawell, executive director of the GEA. "That is translating into many new geothermal projects in the U.S. and around the world."