The probability of a major energy resource, which could profoundly change the electric power generation outlook in the Northwest, exists in the young volcanic areas of the Cascades. Geological reasoning, confirmed by limited exploration to date, indicates that this 800-mile chain of active volcanism has reservoirs of steam and hot water which could meet the regions needs for the next century or longer. Estimates of this potential by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (Special Paper 15, 1983) range as high as 401,760 MWe for 30 years. This is the equivalent of 400 Trojan size nuclear plants operating uninterrupted for 30 years. The United States Geological Survey (Circular 790, 1973) estimates a potential of 1,197 quads for the identified, as well as the unidentified, geothermal resource base, the equivalent of nearly 15 times the annual U.S. energy consumption