Reno and the areas around the city have utilized geothermal for many years. The Peppermill Motel, which recently expanded its use, the Mark Twain Motel, Steamboat Springs, and several other spas, swimming pools, and smaller space heating applications from south of Carson City north into Reno, have been in operation for years. Recent energy cost escalations have sparked new interest in these old applications and in new applications in the whole area