Let the Earth Do the Work

Of all the alternative energy solutions out there, geothermal is the one that seems to get the least attention. Now, in what is hailed as the 'first new look at geothermal in 30 years,' an MIT-led, Energy Dept.-funded panel of scientists concludes that geothermal energy (heat from the Earth's crust) "could supply a substantial portion of the electricity the United States will need in the future, probably at competitive prices and with minimal environmental impact." Among the benefits: It's non-carbon producing, it's not intermittent (like wind and solar), there's no fuel required and the physical plants have a relatively small footprint as most of it is underground. Of course, you still have to drill down thousands of feet to make it work, but then that's what the oil and gas companies are good at, right? Well, okay then: Let's show them where they can put their drills.