Washington state to lead collaborative process for early-stage geothermal studies
Study sites for geothermal energy in Washington state in the USA (source: State of Washington Department of Ecology)
Carlo Cariaga
6 Nov 2025
The State of Washington in the USA will be undertaking a collaborative process to evaluate three sites identified as having geothermal potential.
The Washington state Department of Ecology has announced that it is leading a new collaborative process to identify potentials opportunities and risks related to developing the state’s geothermal resources. The study will focus on three sites that the Washington Geological Survey, under the Department of Natural Resources, has identified as having geothermal potential:
- Mount Baker in NW Washington
- Mount St Helens in SW Washington
- Wind River Valley area, S of Mount St Helens
According to the geothermal plan of the Washington Geological Survey, play-fairway analysis publications on the three sites is scheduled from 2026 to 2027. Seismic hazard assessment, as well as hydrogeological and water assessments are then expected to follow. The agency clarifies that there are currently no plans for development of geothermal energy projects in Washington.
Thus, the state is seeking input from interested parties about the three areas to better understand local and statewide considerations and potential risks to consider for future studies. Over the next 18 months, the Department will host a series of in-person and virtual workshops with Tribes and interested parties to share information and gather input and concerns about geothermal energy development.
Two virtual meetings have already been scheduled to provide information and collect feedback:
State partners assisting the collaborative process include the Washington departments of Archeology and Historic Preservation, Commerce, Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources has also posted an interactive story map with details describing what geothermal energy is, how it can be used and why certain areas in Washington are considered favorable for its development.
The geothermal potential of Mount Baker has been investigated intensively in the past decades. Two wells had been drilled in the 1980s, measuring a thermal gradient of 100 – 200 °C per kilometer in the shallow subsurface. Another deeper test well drilled in 2019 indicated a gradient of 64 °C per kilometer in the upper 450 meters.
