This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct federal research, testing, and data work on "next-generation geothermal systems." It adds new definitions for closed-loop geothermal, next-generation geothermal (including enhanced and closed-loop systems and technologies in supercritical conditions), and supercritical geothermal.
The bill expands geothermal research programs across the Department of Energy (DOE) and asks DOE to include machine learning and other advanced tools in research. It requires updates and public access improvements to a drilling and subsurface data repository, and it calls for memoranda of understanding with the Department of the Interior and other agencies to share relevant subsurface and project data.
The Department of the Interior is assigned responsibility for commissioning regional deep exploration boreholes deeper than 8 kilometers in representative provinces to provide control points for deep heat mapping; the data from those boreholes must be shared publicly.
The bill directs the Geothermal Technologies Office to run a Next-Generation Research and Development Program. That program must support research on supercritical geothermal topics (well completion, reservoir creation and management, materials and equipment, sensors, water-rock chemistry, rock properties, hard rock and deep drilling, and other topics the Secretary chooses). It requires milestone-based grants for deep drilling projects and requires DOE to, as practicable, share data publicly.
Other provisions require: at least one FORGE site to have capabilities for testing systems in supercritical conditions within one year of enactment; a report on estimated water withdrawal and consumption for next-generation geothermal systems within five years; grants for a center of excellence to coordinate research, workforce development, and support for FORGE sites; and commercial-readiness and surface facility innovation grants. For some grants, the Federal share of project costs may be up to 80 percent.
The bill updates the U.S. Geological Survey geothermal resource assessment schedule and requires initial updated assessments of conventional and next-generation geothermal resources within two years and development of methodologies for next-generation and supercritical assessments within five years. It also requires periodic progress reports to Congress every two years that describe resource potential, project results, and commercialization barriers.
If you work in geothermal research, higher education, national labs, or industry, the bill would create new grant opportunities, centers for coordination, and public data to support testing and commercialization of advanced geothermal technologies. State geological surveys and Tribal entities are named as partners for data sharing and coordination. If you live near proposed deep borehole sites, the bill directs public sharing of resulting data but does not itself set permitting or siting rules.
For most members of the public, the bill directs federal research, mapping, and grant programs. It does not itself authorize construction or mandate private projects. No publicly available information on direct, immediate changes to electricity prices or project construction timelines.
The bill authorizes $5,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the Next-Generation geothermal subsection (section 615(e)). It also authorizes "such sums as are necessary" to continue related programs for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031, to remain available until expended. For certain grants, the Federal share of project costs is limited to not more than 80 percent.
No publicly available information on the total estimated cost to implement all provisions of the bill or on net budgetary effects.
The bill’s stated goals are to advance research, demonstration, testing, and commercial application of enhanced, closed-loop, and supercritical geothermal systems; improve and publicly share subsurface data; map deep heat resources; support workforce development; and speed commercialization through milestone grants and centers of excellence. Proponents would point to these goals and the new research focus areas, public data sharing, and coordination with Interior as benefits listed in the bill.
No publicly available information.