Utah Energy Week 2025, running September 15-18 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, brought together energy leaders, policymakers, and researchers from across the nation to explore the full spectrum of energy opportunities. Among the event's standout sessions was a compelling geothermal panel moderated by Steve Handy, Utah Director for The Western Way, highlighting why Utah is positioned to lead America's next energy revolution.
A Comprehensive Energy Dialogue
Utah Energy Week 2025 created a unique platform to address critical energy needs through what organizers described as a "holistic, state-wide energy event." Hosted at the Ken Garff University Club at the Rice-Eccles Football Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah, the three-day summit featured partnerships across multiple institutions, including the University of Utah's Energy Futures Research Engine, Idaho National Laboratory, Utah State University, Utah Clean Energy, and the Utah Office of Energy Development.
The event's comprehensive approach covered advanced energy systems, grid resilience, workforce development, environmental management, and economic drivers—reflecting Utah's commitment to an "all of the above" energy strategy that balances reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship.
Geothermal Takes Center Stage
One of the event’s sessions focused on geothermal technologies, which "offer vital energy solutions that are available around the clock with minimal environmental impact." The panel brought together leading experts to discuss rapid advancements in geothermal exploration and technology, including enhanced geothermal systems that could revolutionize how we think about renewable baseload power.
Bridging Conservative Values and Clean Energy Innovation
Moderating this discussion was Steve Handy, whose unique background makes him an ideal voice to discuss Utah's geothermal future. As Utah Director for The Western Way and a former Utah State Legislator, Handy brings decades of experience in public relations and public service to energy policy discussions.
Handy has been a vocal advocate for geothermal energy, noting that "the energy business has never been a zero-sum game" and highlighting how "geothermal breakthroughs we are seeing in Utah, based on oil and gas sector technologies, shows this to be true." His perspective demonstrates how conservative, market-oriented solutions can drive energy innovation without sacrificing economic competitiveness.
Utah's Geothermal Advantage
The timing of this geothermal focus couldn't be more relevant. Utah is experiencing unprecedented geothermal growth, with state officials projecting more than 2,000 megawatts of additional geothermal electricity capacity could be developed—equivalent to two large-scale nuclear power plants. This potential builds on Utah's existing leadership position as one of only seven states generating electricity from geothermal resources.
The panel featured an impressive lineup of experts, including:
Colleen Jones, Faculty & Director of the Environmental Analytical Lab at Utah State University's Bingham Research Center
Joe Moore, Principal Investigator of the Utah FORGE Project
Aubry DeReuil, Head of Exploration at Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals
Travis McLing, Business Manager Directorate Fellow at Idaho National Laboratory
The Utah FORGE Connection
Central to Utah's geothermal leadership is the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE), located outside Milford. This "nation's leading technology accelerator for advanced geothermal" serves as a testing ground for innovative drilling and energy extraction techniques that could unlock geothermal potential nationwide. The project exemplifies how Utah's research institutions are directly contributing to national energy security and innovation.
Innovation Rooted in Proven Technology
What makes Utah's geothermal story particularly compelling is how it leverages existing oil and gas expertise. As Handy has noted, geothermal development "involves the very same drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies that fueled a massive boom in U.S. oil and natural gas production." This technological crossover provides Utah with a skilled workforce and established supply chains ready to support geothermal expansion.
Companies like Fervo Energy are already proving this concept, having received federal permits to drill 29 geothermal wells in Beaver County with a generating capacity of 90 megawatts or more, expected to grow to 400 megawatts by 2028.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The geothermal panel emphasized how Utah's approach delivers both economic and environmental benefits. Utah's location "along the eastern boundary of the Great Basin, a physiographic region defined geologically as having abundant geothermal heat close to the Earth's surface," provides natural advantages for developing this renewable resource that can "produce electricity 24 hours per day, seven days per week."
While Utah's current geothermal capacity stands at 73 megawatts, this represents only "0.1% of the total estimated undeveloped potential of 49,400 MW, indicating that geothermal energy resources within our borders hold practically unlimited potential to power our electricity needs well into the future."
Building Utah's Energy Future
Utah Energy Week 2025 demonstrated that the state's energy future isn't about choosing between traditional and renewable sources—it's about leveraging all available resources, technologies, and expertise to build a resilient, diverse, and economically competitive energy portfolio. Utah is uniquely positioned to lead America's next energy revolution. Next year's Utah Energy Week will be held at approximately the same time on the campus of Utah State University in Logan, Utah.