Provo-based Raser Technologies is making a huge investment in Southern Utah with more than 200,000 acres of geothermal leases throughout the Escalante Desert. That company began selling power from its first $100 million plant April 16, 2009, at Thermo, which is 25 miles southwest of the Blundell plant and 10 miles west of Minersville.
"We're planning to build a 30-mile transmission line to support future Raser renewable energy projects," said Issa Arnita, Raser director of investor/public relations. "Part of the transmission route crosses a small portion of Beaver County and we will be seeking an easement at a future date."
Raser is also planning to build 10 more geothermal plants over 10-plus years and add solar and wind sites in Beaver, Iron and Washington Counties in the future. Each plant will employ 10 to 12 people but the real job creation will be in the building, development and construction phase. At any one time, a proposed 20-megawatt plant will employ 150 workers on site during construction. Each plant is estimated to cost $80 million, with a large portion going to drilling, estimated at $24 million, and the remainder paid to labor, materials, and preparation of the well sites. The Spectrum
