Project Name: Lund North Geothermal Temperature Gradient Holes

NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-UT-C010-2026-0025-CE

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-UT-C010-2026-0025-CE
Project Name

Lund North Geothermal Temperature Gradient Holes
Project Type

CE
NEPA Status

In Progress - Decision and Appeal Period
Lead Office

Cedar City Field Office
Last Updated

8/12/2026 5:00:00 PM

Project Description

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cedar City Field Office proposes to authorize the drilling of up to ten temperature‑gradient holes (TGH) in the “Lund North” area of northern Escalante Valley, Iron County, Utah. The project is externally proposed by applicant James Faulds of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology as part of a multi-agency research project involving the U.S. Geological Survey and the Utah Geological Survey, funded by the Department of Energy's INGENIOUS project. The boreholes will be drilled to approximately 800 feet measured depth to obtain steady‑state temperature profiles that will help characterize a potential blind geothermal resource. Drilling will occur on a combination of BLM‑administered and private (Milne family) lands within a larger group of twenty pre‑permitted locations, of which only 8–10 will be selected and drilled. Each drill site will involve construction or use of an ~80‑by‑100‑foot pad (~0.18 acres), resulting in up to 1.837 acres of total surface disturbance if all ten pads are constructed. Access will rely primarily on existing county roads and two‑track routes, with only limited construction or improvement of short stem roads, which will not exceed one cumulative mile across the entire project. All equipment—including a truck‑mounted reverse‑circulation rig and associated support trucks—will be cleaned before entering the area to prevent the spread of invasive species. The proponent would avoid traveling through noxious weed infestations. Water for drilling and cementing will be supplied from an existing well on the Milne property, with an estimated use of about 600 gallons per day.

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Cedar City	Utah	84720	Iron

Application Information

Applicant

James Faulds (Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology)
Case File Number

UTCC2026E000002
Program

Renewable Energy
Sub-Program

Geothermal

Project Dates

Start Date

6/8/2026
Decision Date

8/12/2026

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Cedar City Field Office
Offices

Cedar City FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Hayden Houston
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(435) 865-3011

Contact 2 Name

Jacqueline Russell
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(435) 865-3081