Jefferson Tester

In what its authors call the first study in 30 years to take a new look at geothermal energy, a new MIT-led group asserts that heat in 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.

An 18-member panel led by MIT prepared the 400-plus page study, released today, titled The Future of Geothermal Energy and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.