PAC lawmakers believe geothermal energy is solution to high energy costs

October 30^th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) Citizen Action Party (PAC) lawmakers believe that significantly increasing geothermal energy generation in the country’s national parks is the best solution to lowering the country’s electricity rates.

PAC lawmakers expressed their belief that geothermal is the best solution to produce low-cost, environmentally friendly energy this week as part of a government panel convened by President Luis Guillermo Solis with the goal of finding solutions to lower the country’s high electricity prices.  The panel will meet regularly until December.

Under the PAC plan, only the state-owned Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) would be allowed to exploit geothermal energy, which produces energy from heat stored inside the Earth.  Such generation typically takes place in or near volcanic national parks, such as the $1 billion geothermal project planned near the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano that was approved by lawmakers in July.  Costa Rica has utilized geothermal energy to a limited degree since 1994.

The PAC plan also calls for increased generation via wind, solar, and biomass, which unlike geothermal, would be open to private generators.

Rep. Otton Solis, the principal sponsor of the plan, proposes to authorize ICE to exploit geothermal energy from any of the country’s national parks, so long as environmental standards are adhered to.