Geothermal Energy Development: Problems and Prospects in the Imperial Valley of California

What are the effects on an isolated region when an entirely new and major energy resource is developed to commercial proportions? What happens to the population, the economy, the environment, the community, and societal relations? How does the government frame­ work respond, the family structure adapt, the economy expand, and life styles change under the impact of new forces which hold a prom­ ise of much benefit and a risk of adverse consequences? Imperial County, California, has a populat...