Federal officials have approved the first geothermal project on Idaho's public land since the 1980s.
The Times-News reports that the Burley Bureau of Land Management has given the go-ahead for Walker Ranch Energy's geothermal project, which will include a plant about 13 miles south of Malta.
The power plant will be built on private property, but up to 22 wells will be drilled on 200 acres managed by the Burley BLM office. The operation is expected to eventually produce 25 megawatts of energy.
Royalties will be shared between the BLM and the state of Idaho.
BLM Burley Field Manager Kevin Crane says the agency is pleased with the plan to create clean, renewable energy resources, even though the timeline for power production isn't yet known.