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Geothermal energy could be on its way to Chicago’s South Side

Mar 19, 2024
The key to building out the low-carbon energy source could be the city’s trademark alleys.
Retta Ford, left, and daughter Debra Gay attend a community meeting about geothermal power. Ford asked whether the project could affect the foundations of homes.
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco/WBEZ

Some see energy in abandoned wells

Sep 18, 2012
An oil well may seem pretty useless when the light sweet crude stops flowing. In Texas, researchers and entrepreneurs see a chance to recycle old wells and create geothermal power.