10/19/09

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) _ A Nevada-based company has sold a geothermal
plant north of Casper, Wyoming to the U.S. Department of Energy for
an undisclosed amount.

Ormat Technologies of Reno built the test plant at the Teapot
Dome oil field to prove the technical feasibility of using hot
water associated with oil production to generate electricity.

The plant was designed to produce 250 kilowatts of electricity.
It has been operating for over a year, providing electricity to
operate the oil wells.

Officials say while the plant proves the technology's viability,
more study is needed to see if it would work at other oil fields.

The federal government plans to continue testing for another two
years and collect more data related to long-term durability of the
plant.
___

Information from: Casper Star-Tribune - Casper,
http://www.trib.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP-10-19-09 1516MDT<