The geothermal project at St. Mary’s Hospital originated with an Energy Use Analysis conducted by Kirkman, Michael and Associate in 1976. In the 1977, the U.S. Department of Energy offered grants for demonstration of geothermal energy projects. The St. Mary’s Hospital was one of two hospitals selected in the United States. The project, costing about $718,000, was 75% funded by the U.S. Department of Energy