The US Cities With the Most Geothermal Power
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20221731/464390-150x150.jpegEarlier this year, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced emergency permitting procedures to fast-track geothermal energy projects on public lands. While the first U.S. commercial geothermal electricity plant was opened in California in 1960, potential geothermal energy remains largely untapped in the United States, suppressed by state permitting challenges, extremely high development costs, and complex technical issues.
Currently, there are 46 geothermal electricity plants operating in the U.S., with a combined maximum capacity of 2,038 megawatts of power. While most are in California and Nevada, there are cities throughout the country generating significant geothermal electricity. A closer look at the data reveals the cities with the most geothermal power.
To determine the cities with the most geothermal power, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on power plants and electricity generation from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Cities were ranked based on the total maximum output of geothermal power plants within a 10 mile buffer of their boundaries.
25. Paisley, OR
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 1.8 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 1.8 MW
- Total population: 283
24. Silver Springs, NV
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 6.4 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 12.0 MW
- Total population: 5,117
23. Cotton City, NM
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 8.6 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 8.6 MW
- Total population: 402
22. Clearlake Riviera, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 9.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 11.4 MW
- Total population: 4,461
21. Crescent Valley, NV
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 14.1 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 14.1 MW
- Total population: 456
20. Cloverdale, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 18.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 22.9 MW
- Total population: 8,964
19. Fallon, NV
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 20.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 20.0 MW
- Total population: 9,243
18. Humboldt River Ranch, NV
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 21.9 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 21.9 MW
- Total population: 213
17. Kelseyville, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 27.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 27.0 MW
- Total population: 3,828
16. Holtville, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 30.4 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 365.7 MW
- Total population: 5,620
15. Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 39.5 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 50.9 MW
- Total population: 7,253
14. Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 43.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 112.5 MW
- Total population: 13,041
13. El Centro Naval Air Facility, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 52.1 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 1,795.8 MW
- Total population: 539
12. Reno, NV
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 53.9 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 60.7 MW
- Total population: 265,196
11. Fernley, NV
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 57.9 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 80.2 MW
- Total population: 23,035
10. Brawley, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 63.5 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 354.9 MW
- Total population: 26,509
9. Hidden Valley Lake, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 65.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 67.4 MW
- Total population: 5,852
8. El Centro, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 106.4 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 2,000.7 MW
- Total population: 44,184
7. Imperial, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 159.9 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 1,422.5 MW
- Total population: 20,430
6. Niland, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 294.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 599.4 MW
- Total population: 602
5. Westmorland, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 297.6 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 611.5 MW
- Total population: 2,010
4. Calipatria, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 347.5 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 795.6 MW
- Total population: 6,579
3. Geyserville, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 644.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 651.9 MW
- Total population: 837
2. Middletown, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 709.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 709.0 MW
- Total population: 1,748
1. Cobb, CA
- Maximum geothermal electricity output of nearby plants: 718.0 MW
- Maximum electricity output of all nearby plants: 718.0 MW
- Total population: 685
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