Full Steam Ahead Webcast: Public Perceptions of Geothermal Energy
9:00 – 10:00am (Pacific)
Next-generation geothermal has the potential to deliver reliable energy at scale—but public support will be critical to its success. From Congressional action to local siting decisions, how people perceive the risks and benefits of geothermal power will determine its future. Today, most Americans know very little about geothermal beyond their concerns about real or perceived risks. This creates both a challenge and an opportunity: to define geothermal in ways that illustrate its value and address community fears.
To help chart this path, CATF commissioned first-of-a-kind research on a large national sample of US voters. The study explores what excites people about geothermal, what worries them, and what information they need to feel more comfortable with development. It also reveals important nuances across political affiliation, age, gender, and region. This research provides new insights into how to communicate geothermal’s benefits while addressing concerns like water use and seismicity—offering a roadmap for building public support for this critical clean energy technology.
Speaker:
Ann Garth is the Senior Geothermal Associate for the Superhot Rock Geothermal program at Clean Air Task Force (CATF). She develops and advocates for policies to promote next-generation geothermal, including superhot rock geothermal – working towards efficient, safe, and widespread adoption of this transformational energy source. Her work includes initiatives at both the federal and state levels, and she also leads CATF's research into the social science of geothermal energy.
Prior to joining CATF, Ann worked at a nonprofit consulting firm. She holds a BA with Honors in Systems Change and Environmental Policy from Brown University.