Every state with geothermal resources faces different challenges to utilizing those resources to help meet their energy needs. The purpose of this report is to combine an analysis of relevant literature and interviews with industry stakeholders in Arizona with different perspectives, to understand what types of policies and actions public institutions can take to encourage greater development of Arizona’s geothermal resources. The research has been aided by previous study done on Utah and New Mexico, and ongoing study on Idaho and Nevada, which have helped create a framework for the research on Arizona. Over the course of the research numerous experts have been interviewed that are involved with geothermal resource development. Specifically for this report, the interviews include discussion with more than 15 individuals who have been involved with geothermal development in Arizona (including geologists, developers, utilities, regulators, consultants, direct-use facility operators, clean energy advocates and university researchers). Ultimately, after taking into consideration the broad spectrum of opinions, the findings of this report represent a general consensus or “majority viewpoint” of what various stakeholders agree are the overall needs to unlocking greater development in Arizona.

This report details geothermal resource exploration done for Arizona Public Service and the U.S. Department of Energy in 2005 to evaluate the geothermal resources of the Clifton Hot Springs area in Greenlee County, eastern Arizona for electric power production. The intent of the evaluation was to determine the local geologic controls of the geothermal system and, using publicly available data and original mapping performed for this project, to recommend locations for Controlled Source Audiomagnetotelluric (CSAMT) cross sections. The results of the geophysics were then combined with the geologic mapping to site three gradient holes, two of which were drilled to depths of 635 feet and 1,000 feet, respectively.