The Interior Department recently announced approval of three major renewable energy projects, including a 70-megawatt geothermal development in Pershing County, Nev.

“These projects reflect the Obama Administration's commitment to expand responsible domestic energy production on our public lands and diversify our nation's energy portfolio,” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said.

The projects all fall into what the Obama Administration calls its "all-of-the-above" energy strategy.

The geothermal project is located in eastern Nevada’s New York Canyon. Like the other projects green-lighted by the Interior Department—both of which were solar, it underwent lengthy review of potential wildlife and other impacts, and public comment.  “Today’s approvals will help bolster rural economies by generating good jobs and reliable power and advance our national energy security,” Jewell added.

New York Canyon is a project of TGP Dixie Development Company LLC, a subsidiary of Terra-Gen Power LLC. According to the Bureau of Land Management, the project will include construction and operation of the 70-megawatt plant, and up to 45 geothermal production, injection or observation wells. The project is expected to create about 150 jobs during two years of construction, the BLM says, and it's expected to produce enough energy to power about 60,000 homes.

The Department of Interior has, since 2009, approved 11 geothermal plants and their associated infrastructure.

 Terra-Gen, which has offices in San Diego, Calif., and Reno, Nev., describes itself as "one of the largest geothermal energy companies in the U.S." It focuses on development of larger-scale geothermal energy projects. For more information, visit www.terra-genpower.com.