The Firm, led by partners Tal Finney, Glenn Weinman, and Associate Shaune Arnold, continues to represent Iceland America Energy LLC (IAE) as IAE continues to develop geothermal renewable energy projects aimed at bringing clean energy to market.  IAE brings world class technical expertise and over 100 years of experience in geothermal energy to the North American market.  Iceland, the most renewable country in the world, heats over 90% of its homes and businesses with clean, geothermal power, and is the worldwide leader in sustainable geothermal power development and in designing, constructing, and operating the plants.  In recent months, the Firm has represented IAE in connection with the following projects:

Kawerau Geothermal Project—New Zealand

The Firm represented IAE in securing a joint venture agreement with the Hawaiian-based Innovations Development Group to develop the Kawerau Geothermal Project on Maori lands in New Zealand. 

The project is slated to generate 50 megawatts of clean power for the New Zealand grid, thus helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also empowering the indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, through responsible, eco-friendly economic development. 

IAE’s partnership with the Innovations Development Group will lead to additional geothermal power plant developments in New Zealand, Hawaii, and throughout Polynesia.

Mammoth Lakes District Heating System—Mammoth, California

The Firm represented IAE in securing memoranda of understanding with Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Chadmar Development, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and the Mammoth Community Water District to develop the first Icelandic-designed geothermal space heating district in the Western Hemisphere.  Mammoth Mountain is one of America’s best known ski resorts whose homes and businesses are currently heated by fossil-based propane. 

The Icelandic system will provide heat for homes and businesses, snow-melting for key intersections and sidewalks, and hot water that can be used for spas, greenhouses, and fish farms, among many other uses.

Imperial Geothermal Projects—Imperial County, California

The Firm represented IAE in securing agreements to develop five additional geothermal power plant projects near the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California.   These plants, potentially totaling over 500 megawatts, will supply California utilities with much needed clean power to assist them in meeting their Renewable Portfolio Standard and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions requirements under California law.  

Imperial County has been widely recognized as a geothermal energy center in the United States.