GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce hosted the Energy Summit on Wednesday at the Grand Junction Convention Center. This event gave locals a chance to hear from expert speakers on topics such as the future of solar power and geothermal energy.

Jim Sims, the Vice President of NioCorp Developments was among the speakers at the event. He took the time to introduce attendees to the possibilities he believes surround geothermal energy if the industry were given the right tools. He says this type of energy is a baseload power running 24 hours a day, unlike familiar resources such as solar and wind power.

As of last year, Sims says geothermal only made up 1.8% of the United States’ power generation but he believes that will be changing very soon. If advances are made with the government and drilling technology, Sims says the possibilities for geothermal plants and the installment of heat pumps in homes are endless. KREX will continue to follow the latest developments of solar, wind, and geothermal energy on the Western Slope.