(GP/GT) for Additional Water Supply in the Lower Rio Grande

Potable water for agriculture and aquaculture needs could be obtained from
surface water sources, wells, or through desalination using the geopressured
fluids. Costs related to surface water usage are normally considered
relatively minor. Desalination costs are addressed in a previous section. A
freshwater well and 10,000 gal storage tank would cost -$46,000.
The Southwest Technology Development Institute, New Mexico State
University at Las Cruces, New Mexico continues to be extensively involved in
the utilization of geothermal resources, especially for greenhouses. The
following information is from comparative performance analyses that were
prepared by Whittier and Fischer (1990).
Profitability of a greenhouse operation varies for each site, but is
directly attributable to one major operating factor that controls the
industry: greenhouse space represents a fixed production area. There are few
options within reason, to increase annual production from the greenhouse.
Because production is fixed, annual revenue is similarly fixed. Opportunities
for increasing profitability come from lowering operating costs (Whittier and
Fischer, 1990, Appendix F). Using the energy available in geopressured
resources may become a means toward this end.
There are many factors that affect the profitability of greenhousing.
Capital costs for an installed greenhouse complex vary by location, depending
upon such factors as the amount of available sunlight, heating and cooling
needs, etc. The amount of available sunlight also affects production levels,
especially for cut flowers. State corporate franchise tax rates, variations
in Workers' Compensation rates in different states, local labor wage rates,
transportation rates, labor availability, property tax rates, cost of energy,
water requirements, and market availability also impact the profit margin. A
new firm will wish to carefully evaluate individual sites on a case-by-case
basis before selecting a location (Whittier and Fischer, 1990, Appendix F).
A comparative performance analysis (Whittier and Fischer, 1990, Appendix
F). has been conducted to examine the various factors associated with
establishing and operating a commercial rose cut-flower greenhouse in ten
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