Sponsors (5)
The bill seeks to accelerate U.S. next‑generation geothermal deployment and exports—creating economic, security, and climate benefits—while requiring significant, open‑ended federal spending and administrative focus that could shift resources, entail environmental and commercial risks, and politically complicate international partnerships.
U.S. geothermal and clean-energy firms, utilities, and related manufacturers gain new and clearer export, investment, financing, and supply‑chain opportunities that can increase sales and create jobs.
Partner countries, U.S. allies, and local governments in the Indo‑Pacific can diversify energy supplies and strengthen energy security through technical assistance and partnerships, advancing U.S. diplomatic and security objectives.
Communities and grid operators (domestic and abroad) benefit from low‑emission, dispatchable geothermal power and from federal research on next‑generation technologies that could lower long‑term costs and expand clean energy options.
U.S. taxpayers and federal budgets face increased costs because the bill authorizes substantial, open‑ended spending (including risk‑sharing, aid, and program funds) to support geothermal programs and overseas assistance.
Federal agencies, diplomatic resources, and congressional oversight could be stretched or reallocated as the program centralizes decisionmaking, requires interagency transfers (with limited advance notice), and demands new administrative work.
Projects abroad (and U.S. participants) could encounter permitting, environmental, seismic, or social‑license problems that delay deployment, raise costs, and create reputational risk.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Creates an international U.S. program to map geothermal resources, select partners, drive diplomacy, mobilize finance, and accelerate next‑generation geothermal deployment with an Indo‑Pacific focus.
Official title: Promote the development and use of geothermal resources in the Pacific, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 20, 2026 by Brian Emanuel Schatz · Last progress May 20, 2026
Creates a U.S. international program to promote "next‑generation" geothermal energy with a focus on the Indo‑Pacific by directing the State and Energy Departments to build partnerships, map resources, set deployment goals, offer technical assistance, and mobilize financing and export support. It requires reports, an interagency strategy and advisory mechanism, selection of partner countries, and authorizes appropriations for FY2027–FY2031 to carry out diplomacy, research, workforce and supply‑chain actions, and financial risk‑sharing tools to expand geothermal deployment and strengthen allied energy resilience.