Unlocking the Heat Beneath Our Feet: What Hunters and Anglers Should Know About Next-Gen Geothermal Energy
- Aaron Kindle, National Wildlife Federation Director of Sporting Advocacy
- Mar 27, 2025
For those of us who spend much of our time in the outdoors, conservation is often top of mind. Hunters and anglers know the need for energy production is a reality, but there is equally a need to ensure it is done right. That’s why hunters and anglers have championed responsible energy development for decades. From oil and gas drilling to commercial solar and wind projects, planning is critical to ensure important wildlife habitat and waterways are not damaged.
One of the biggest challenges with traditional energy development—whether it’s fossil fuels or even wind and solar—is that they are location-dependent. Oil and gas need to be drilled where the deposits are. Wind farms need constant wind, and solar farms need vast open land with plenty of sun. Conflict happens more often with these projects because they often encroach on critical wildlife habitat, migration corridors, and prime public lands that we rely on for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. There’s a new technology that the hunting and angling community needs to take a closer look at – next-generation geothermal systems.
Traditional geothermal energy has been around for a long time and, like other forms of energy, is also site-specific. Developers tap into heat from hot springs or shallow geothermal pools to generate electricity.
But new drilling techniques used in so-called Next-Generation Geothermal means development can go virtually anywhere by tapping into the heat deep underground. This flexibility means projects can be developed in places that minimize impacts on important natural resources – one of the key ingredients to responsible energy development. Another key ingredient is working with local stakeholders and ensuring development meets the needs of local communities. A great thing about Next Generation geothermal development is that it is not dependent on hydro thermal “hot spots” that are often associated with surface water and hot springs and thus naturally reduce conflicts with communities and businesses reliant on healthy and productive hot springs.
Geothermal plants have a much smaller footprint than wind or solar farms or the roads and infrastructure that come with developing a large oil and gas field. That means less disruption to wildlife migration routes and less conflict with the landscapes we cherish. With that kind of flexibility, we at NWF Outdoors think responsible development of enhanced geothermal energy is a preferable choice over many forms of energy development.
Unlike fossil fuels, geothermal energy doesn’t generate emissions or pollutants that harm air or diminish water quality. Also, these 24/7 sources of power run without the risk of oil spills or methane leaks that come with oil and gas drilling, or the mining of critical minerals that are needed for wind, solar, and battery storage.
Rural communities rely on outdoor tourism and recreation, which require a conservation mindset, to keep their economies strong. Geothermal resources can be developed with the same conservation mindset and have the potential to create and maintain good-paying jobs in these areas, particularly for workers transitioning from the oil and gas patch. Drilling expertise and related skills will be in demand for next-gen geothermal development as well. It’s important we strive to ensure communities dependent on energy jobs don’t need to choose between economic stability and preserving their outdoor heritage - a key element of responsible development of any energy source.
If hunters and anglers keep up with advancements in geothermal technology, it allows us to be proactive when development is planned. If we stay informed on where geothermal projects are being proposed, we are in a better place to call for responsible development. Just as we’ve supported responsible oil and gas development that utilize best practices for habitat protection, we need to apply those same principles for geothermal projects.
We all know that we need diverse energy sources to power our modern world. Hunters and anglers have long stood for responsible energy development, balancing our need for power with our duty to protect our outdoor heritage. We have a long history of working alongside decision makers and the energy industry to develop those sources while at the same time conserving and protecting wildlife and its habitat. Geothermal energy should be no different. While emerging geothermal technologies are not a cure-all for our energy needs, they are poised to be an important piece in solving the energy puzzle. Let’s do our part by staying engaged and informed regarding this emerging energy source.
