Why Raser Made an Alt-Energy Land Grab in Utah

PROVO, Utah -- Within six months of discovering a massive geothermal field, a small Utah company had erected and fired up a power plant -- just one example of the speed with which companies are capitalizing on state mandates for alternative energy.

Anticipation of new energy policies has sparked a rush on land leases as companies like Raser Technologies Inc. (RZ Quote), based in Provo, lock up property that hold geothermal fields and potentially huge profits.

Raser's find, about 155 miles southwest of Provo, could eventually power 200,000 homes.

The company said it will begin routing electricity to Anaheim, Calif. within weeks. ...