Invites developers, operators, policymakers, and community partners to join a shared commitment to responsible geothermal growth
HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fervo Energy today announced the launch of the Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact, a new framework establishing best-in-class standards for how geothermal projects are planned, built, and operated. The Pact includes 37 specific commitments across six pillars: community engagement, workforce development, land use, water conservation and well integrity, induced seismicity, and emissions.
As geothermal energy scales rapidly to meet global clean energy demand, the Pact provides a comprehensive blueprint to ensure that growth happens responsibly: protecting ecosystems, supporting local communities, and advancing the transition to reliable, carbon-free power. Many of its commitments go above and beyond existing regulatory requirements, setting a new benchmark for geothermal growth and development.
The Pact also builds on the Principles for Responsible Geothermal Development, which have been co-developed by the Sierra Club, and endorsed by Sierra Club and the NW Energy Coalition. Together, these documents outline a shared vision for what responsible geothermal development should look like and translate that vision into concrete, measurable action.
“The Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact was borne out of a belief that the future of energy demands not just better technology, but better practices,” said Tim Latimer, CEO and Co-Founder of Fervo Energy. “We’re proud to have worked with the Sierra Club on the Principles and look forward to continued collaboration as we strengthen the Pact.”
“As energy demand continues to grow and our communities face rising costs every month, it is crucial that we consider all our options to meet this demand growth without sacrificing our health or environment,” said Sierra Club Principal Advisor Jeremy Fisher. “We are proud to endorse Fervo’s Statement of Principles for Sustainable Geothermal Development that recognizes geothermal energy’s role in the clean energy transition while prioritizing the environmental and social impacts of geothermal development. We look forward to our future collaboration as we work together towards a cleaner, healthier, and more reliable future.”
Fervo emphasized that the Pact is intended as an open industry standard, inviting developers, operators, policymakers, and community partners to join as signatories and contribute to its continued improvement. By establishing a shared set of commitments and best practices, the Pact aims to create a unified foundation for responsible geothermal growth in the US.
“NW Energy Coalition is pleased to see the launch of a conversation on responsible development of geothermal power moving forward,” said Fred Heutte, Senior Policy Analyst. “The Principles for Responsible Geothermal Development provide a strong starting point. With geothermal’s rapidly expanding potential to help meet our clean energy and affordability goals here in the Northwest and beyond, it is important to have the geothermal industry, communities, and Tribes at the table.”
The full Pact and accompanying Principles are available at https://fervoenergy.com/geothermal-sustainable-development-pact/
About Fervo Energy
Fervo Energy provides 24/7 carbon-free energy through the development of next-generation geothermal power. Fervo’s mission is to leverage innovation in geoscience to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. The company’s key advancements in drilling and subsurface analytics make geothermal cost competitive and globally scalable. For more information, visit www.fervoenergy.com.
About Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org
About the NW Energy Coalition
Founded in 1981, the NW Energy Coalition is an alliance of more than 100 environmental, civic, and human service organizations, utilities, local governments, and clean energy businesses across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. The Coalition advances clean, equitable and affordable energy policies to benefit communities while preserving the region’s natural resources. For more information, visit nwenergy.org or email [email protected]
Contacts
Fervo Media Contact
Chelsea Anderson
[email protected]
