BLM approves drilling of up to ten geothermal temperature-gradient holes in Iron County, Utah

The BLM Cedar City Field Office has issued a final decision and categorical exclusion to authorize the drilling of up to ten geothermal temperature-gradient holes in the Lund North area of northern Escalante Valley, Iron County, Utah. The project was proposed by the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and is funded through the Department of Energy’s INGENIOUS project, a multi-agency research effort also involving the U.S. Geological Survey and the Utah Geological Survey.

BLM issues final decision for Utah geothermal drilling

The BLM Cedar City Field Office’s authorization covers up to ten temperature-gradient holes in the Lund North area—a stretch of northern Escalante Valley in Iron County, Utah. Both a final decision and a categorical exclusion were issued to green-light the project.

The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology proposed the drilling. That’s worth noting: a Nevada-based agency is leading a project on Utah public land. Geothermal research tends to cross state lines when agencies are tracking regional heat signatures, and this is a solid example of exactly that dynamic.

Under federal law, agencies can use one when a proposed action falls into a category of activities already determined not to cause significant environmental impacts.

The categorical exclusion designation also matters. It means BLM determined the project doesn’t need a full environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act—more on that shortly.

Why the project was proposed: DOE funding and multi-agency research

This project isn’t a standalone effort. It’s part of the Department of Energy’s INGENIOUS initiative, a federally funded program built to advance geothermal exploration research across the country.

INGENIOUS pulls multiple agencies together under one research umbrella. The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology is leading, with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Utah Geological Survey also involved. That kind of collaborative setup is standard for large-scale subsurface research—no single organization holds all the data or expertise needed to do it alone.

So what are temperature-gradient holes, exactly? They’re relatively shallow boreholes drilled into the earth to measure how temperature changes with depth. That data reveals how much heat is flowing up from below—a key indicator of whether an area holds viable geothermal resources. Think of them as thermometers for the ground.

Researchers chose the Lund North area and the broader northern Escalante Valley as the target zone, which suggests they believe the region may have subsurface heat flow worth measuring. Whatever they find will feed into broader assessments of geothermal potential in the area.

What the drilling authorization means for geothermal exploration

Getting BLM’s sign-off is a real step forward for the research team. Authorization means they can head into the field and start collecting the subsurface temperature data the project depends on.

That data matters considerably. Without direct measurements of underground heat flow, it’s hard to know whether an area could support geothermal energy development. Temperature-gradient holes provide the empirical baseline researchers and developers need before committing to larger, more expensive exploration efforts.

The Escalante Valley’s inclusion in this study puts it on the map as a region with potential. Whether that potential leads to anything commercially significant is a question the data will help answer—but that’s a much longer road ahead.

The categorical exclusion deserves a closer look. Under federal law, agencies can use one when a proposed action falls into a category of activities already determined not to cause significant environmental impacts. It’s a formal finding that a full environmental impact statement or environmental assessment isn’t needed—not a rubber stamp. For a project involving up to ten relatively small boreholes, that finding isn’t surprising. BLM reviewed the project and concluded the environmental footprint is limited.

BLM’s role in managing public lands and subsurface mineral resources

BLM isn’t just a permitting office. The agency manages roughly 245 million acres of public land, located primarily across 12 western states, including Alaska—a massive portfolio with a broad mandate.

Beyond surface land, BLM also administers approximately 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate nationwide. That’s the underground layer where oil, gas, minerals, and geothermal resources live. Managing subsurface rights is a distinct responsibility, separate from what’s happening above ground.

Geothermal resources on public lands fall squarely within BLM’s jurisdiction. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for present and future generations—and that includes evaluating and enabling responsible development of renewable energy sources like geothermal. Authorizing temperature-gradient drilling in Iron County fits that mission directly. It’s a research-stage activity, not full-scale development, but it’s part of the pipeline that could eventually lead to geothermal energy production on public lands.

No full environmental assessment necessary

Here’s where things stand. The Bureau of Land Management‘s Cedar City Field Office has officially authorized up to ten geothermal temperature-gradient holes in the Lund North area of Iron County, Utah. The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology proposed the project, which is funded by the DOE’s INGENIOUS initiative and involves both the U.S. Geological Survey and the Utah Geological Survey.

The holes will measure subsurface heat flow to assess geothermal resource potential in the northern Escalante Valley. BLM issued a categorical exclusion, meaning the project didn’t trigger a full environmental review. The agency oversees about 245 million acres of public land and 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate—geothermal resources included.

Kelly Lippke

Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.