Sponsors (2)
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Creates a coordinated federal push to accelerate next‑generation geothermal energy from "hot dry rock" and supercritical resources. The bill directs DOE to run multiple grant and RD&D programs (including milestone-based awards and field testing sites), directs USGS to map deep basement rocks and study seismicity and groundwater, funds a Labor workforce re‑training program, and creates an expert assistance program to help BLM and Forest Service offices review geothermal project authorizations. It also authorizes multi‑year funding (FY2027–FY2031) for each program and adds geothermal to existing categorical exclusion language for certain leasing activities. The package sets technical definitions, identifies eligible grant recipients (national labs, universities, private entities), and funds research on high‑temperature completions, sensing, supercritical fluids, subsurface infrastructure, drilling, and monitoring; it prioritizes certain oil and gas workers for retraining and establishes environmental monitoring and permitting assistance to support demonstration and commercial deployment.
This bill accelerates advanced geothermal deployment with federal R&D, mapping, workforce training, and permitting support—potentially creating jobs and clean baseload power—but does so at meaningful fiscal cost and with environmental, oversight, and equity tradeoffs for nearby communities and smaller stakeholders.
Researchers, private developers, and the clean‑energy industry will get significant federal R&D and demonstration support (notably the ~$118M FY2027–FY2031 program plus other allocations), accelerating commercialization of supercritical/hot‑dry‑rock geothermal technologies.
Workers in oil & gas, union members, and students: federal training, apprenticeships, and classroom programs create clearer pathways into geothermal jobs and support workforce transition.
State and local planners and nearby communities gain improved deep‑basement mapping, geoscience research, and groundwater monitoring to inform siting and reduce operational risks.
Taxpayers will fund multiple new programs and facilities (hundreds of millions across FY2027–FY2031 when combined), increasing federal spending and budgetary commitments.
Rural communities and nearby residents face increased local risks—deep drilling, engineered reservoirs, and field testing could raise seismic risk, groundwater contamination potential, and local disruption.
Local governments and community stakeholders may see reduced environmental oversight or perceived developer influence because of NEPA categorical exclusions and reliance on DOE experts, limiting public review.
Introduced February 13, 2026 by Jake Auchincloss · Last progress February 13, 2026