Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8790 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 8790

  To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct
   research, development, demonstration, and commercial application
  activities in support of next-generation geothermal and closed-loop
   geothermal systems in various conditions, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 13, 2026

  Mr. Harrigan (for himself and Ms. Salinas) introduced the following
   bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct
   research, development, demonstration, and commercial application
  activities in support of next-generation geothermal and closed-loop
   geothermal systems in various conditions, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Next-Generation Geothermal Research
and Development Act''.

SEC. 2. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY.

    (a) In General.--The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
(Public Law 110-140) is amended--
            (1) in section 612 (42 U.S.C. 17191; relating to
        definitions)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4),
                (5), (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (2), (3), (4),
                (5), (6), (7), (8), and (10), respectively;
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so
                redesignated, the following new paragraph:
            ``(1) Closed-loop geothermal systems.--The term `closed-
        loop geothermal systems' means a wellbore or subsurface circuit
        of wellbores containing a fluid heated through contact with the
        borehole wall.'';
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (8), as so
                redesignated, the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) Next-generation geothermal systems.--The term `next-
        generation geothermal systems' means--
                    ``(A) enhanced geothermal systems;
                    ``(B) closed-loop geothermal systems;
                    ``(C) in supercritical conditions--
                            ``(i) enhanced geothermal systems; or
                            ``(ii) closed-loop geothermal systems; and
                    ``(D) other innovative energy technologies.''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(11) Supercritical geothermal.--The term `supercritical
        geothermal' means energy derived from a subsurface rock
        resource in-situ existing at or above the supercritical
        conditions, whether relating to temperature or pressure, of the
        primary fluid present.'';
            (2) in section 613(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 17192(b)(1); relating
        to hydrothermal research and development), by striking
        ``advanced geologic tools to assist'' and inserting ``advanced
        tools, including machine learning algorithms, to assist'';
            (3) in section 614 (42 U.S.C. 17193; relating to general
        geothermal systems research and development)--
                    (A) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``among the
                Office of Fossil Energy, the Office of Energy
                Efficiency and Renewable Energy,'' and inserting
                ``across the Department''; and
                    (B) in subsection (h)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and
                        publicly available subsurface data, including
                        data reported as part of fossil fuel and mining
                        operations,'' after ``geothermal drilling
                        information''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end
                        the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(C) Updates.--The repository established under
                paragraph (1) shall be periodically updated in order to
                carry out the following:
                            ``(i) Standardize data in a uniform manner
                        to the maximum extent practicable and enable
                        analysis across different projects.
                            ``(ii) Enhance the accessibility and
                        usability of data to increase analysis of
                        geothermal energy and next-generation
                        geothermal systems on regional, local, and
                        site-specific scales.
                            ``(iii) Increase uses of data, including
                        data viewable by map and organization by common
                        attributes, such as region.
                            ``(iv) Make other improvements in
                        functionality and usability, as determined by
                        the Secretary.
                    ``(D) Memorandum of understanding.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
                        enter into a memorandum of understanding with
                        the Secretary of the Interior, and with the
                        heads of other relevant Federal departments,
                        for notifying, sharing, and providing
                        opportunities for additional data collection
                        regarding shared geothermal development data
                        from projects funded by the Department of the
                        Interior and each such other relevant
                        department, including data from mining,
                        critical minerals, and energy projects, such as
                        subsurface heat data, seismic data, lithology
                        data, boundaries of State and federally
                        protected areas, and existing transmission
                        capacity.
                            ``(ii) Prioritization.--To the maximum
                        extent practicable, activities conducted
                        pursuant to a memorandum of understanding under
                        clause (i) shall prioritize heat, lithology,
                        and strain profiles through deep exploration
                        boreholes and control points for deep heat
                        mapping and geothermal development.
                    ``(E) Regional data probes.--The Secretary of the
                Interior may, in consultation with the Secretary,
                commission the drilling of supercritical geothermal
                exploration boreholes in representative geological
                provinces in the United States to provide control
                points for deep heat mapping and geothermal
                development. The resulting data shall include an
                exploration of heat, lithology, and strain profiles,
                and shall be shared publicly on the repository
                established under paragraph (1).
                    ``(F) Study on site selection characteristics for
                supercritical geothermal.--The Secretary of the
                Interior shall, in consultation with the Secretary,
                conduct a study on site selection characteristics in
                representative geological provinces in the United
                States, including the United States territories of
                American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto
                Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for supercritical
                geothermal.'';
            (4) in section 615 (42 U.S.C. 17194; relating to enhanced
        geothermal systems research and development)--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking
                ``enhanced'' and inserting ``next-generation'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``enhanced'' and
                inserting ``next-generation'';
                    (C) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in the heading, by inserting ``and
                        Closed-loop'' after ``Enhanced'';
                            (ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
                        by inserting ``and closed-loop'' after
                        ``enhanced'';
                            (iii) in paragraph (11), by striking
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (iv) in paragraph (12), by striking the
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (v) by adding at the end the following new
                        paragraph:
            ``(13) the research topics specified in subparagraphs (1)
        through (12) in supercritical conditions.'';
                    (D) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) by redesignating paragraph (7) as
                        paragraph (8); and
                            (ii) by inserting after paragraph (6) the
                        following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Next-generation geothermal testing.--Not later than
        one year after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the
        Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure
        that at least one FORGE site has the capabilities to include
        next-generation geothermal testing, including, if practicable
        and technically feasible, closed-loop geothermal systems in
        supercritical conditions.''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following new
                subsections:
    ``(e) Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development
Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--Within the Geothermal Technologies
        Office of the Department, the Secretary shall support a program
        of next-generation geothermal research, development,
        demonstration, and commercial application activities,
        including, if practicable and technically feasible, closed-loop
        geothermal systems in supercritical conditions.
            ``(2) Focus areas.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The program described in
                paragraph (1) shall focus on the following topics:
                            ``(i) Well completion.
                            ``(ii) Permeability creation and
                        management, including proppants and packers.
                            ``(iii) Materials development and equipment
                        design, including power production, specific to
                        supercritical geothermal systems.
                            ``(iv) Sensor development.
                            ``(v) Water-rock geochemistry.
                            ``(vi) Rock properties.
                            ``(vii) Hard rock and deep drilling.
                            ``(viii) Any other topics the Secretary
                        determines necessary.
                    ``(B) Prioritization.--In carrying out next-
                generation geothermal research under the program
                described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
                prioritize projects best able to produce iterative data
                for deep drilling projects in unique geodynamic
                settings on the following topics:
                            ``(i) Characterization and crustal stress.
                            ``(ii) Lab work.
                            ``(iii) Drilling.
                            ``(iv) Stimulation.
                            ``(v) Power production.
                    ``(C) Administration.--The Secretary may administer
                grants to institutions of higher education and private
                sector entities to carry out activities on the topics
                specified in subparagraph (A) and, to the maximum
                extent practicable, share data, results, and
                information publicly.
            ``(3) Report on water use.--Not later than five years after
        the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary
        shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources and the
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
        Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
        Resources of the Senate a report on the following:
                    ``(A) Water use and estimated needs of enhanced
                geothermal systems.
                    ``(B) Water use and estimated needs for closed-
                loop, and next-generation geothermal energy production.
                    ``(C) The ability of next-generation geothermal
                systems to use brackish and nonpotable water.
                    ``(D) The withdrawal and consumption of water per
                megawatt hour of next-generation geothermal systems, as
                compared to other power-generation technologies.
                    ``(E) Technological and operational improvements
                that could lead to decreases in water withdrawal and
                consumption of next-generation geothermal systems.
            ``(4) Next-generation geothermal center of excellence.--
                    ``(A) Establishment.--The Secretary shall award
                grants through a competitive, merit-reviewed process,
                to National Laboratories (as such term is defined in
                section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
                15801)), multi-institutional collaborations, public-
                private partnerships, or institutes of higher education
                (or consortia thereof) for the following:
                            ``(i) The continuation and expansion of
                        research, development, demonstration, testing,
                        and commercial application activities
                        applicable to FORGE sites, including activities
                        in supercritical conditions.
                            ``(ii) The establishment of a next-
                        generation geothermal systems center of
                        excellence.
                    ``(B) Location.--In selecting National
                Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations,
                public-private partnerships, or institutions of higher
                education (or a consortia thereof) for a center of
                excellence referred to in subparagraph (A), the
                Secretary shall consider the following criteria:
                            ``(i) Whether the entity hosts an existing
                        geothermal energy research and development
                        program.
                            ``(ii) Whether the entity has proven
                        technical expertise to support geothermal
                        energy research.
                            ``(iii) Whether the entity has access to
                        geothermal resources.
                    ``(C) Purpose.--The center of excellence referred
                to in subparagraph (A) shall coordinate among existing
                FORGE sites, the Department, and National Laboratories
                to carry out the following:
                            ``(i) Advance research, development,
                        demonstration, and commercial application of
                        next-generation geothermal energy technologies,
                        including supercritical geothermal
                        technologies, in response to industry and
                        commercial needs, including by partnering with
                        other academic or research institutions,
                        industry, non-governmental organizations, and
                        State, local, or Tribal governments.
                            ``(ii) Foster collaboration for education,
                        research, and partnership initiatives in order
                        to support the technology, deployment, and
                        workforce needs of the United States geothermal
                        energy industry, including a focus on next-
                        generation geothermal systems.
                            ``(iii) Support workforce development
                        across the next-generation geothermal systems
                        energy development lifecycle.
                            ``(iv) Provide educational, technical, and
                        analytical assistance on next-generation
                        geothermal systems to Federal agencies,
                        industry, and State, local, and Tribal
                        governments.
                            ``(v) Collect and disseminate information
                        on best practices in all areas relating to
                        developing and managing geothermal energy
                        resources and energy systems, including next-
                        generation geothermal systems.
            ``(5) Commercial-readiness innovation grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants
                to accelerate the development, testing, and
                implementation of innovative technologies identified as
                areas for improving the performance of commercial
                geothermal energy projects using next-generation
                geothermal systems.
                    ``(B) Focus areas.--Grants may be awarded under
                this paragraph for innovative technologies, including
                the following:
                            ``(i) Hardrock drilling equipment,
                        components, and systems, including bit design
                        and vibration control.
                            ``(ii) Reservoir characterization, well
                        design and spacing, and completions.
                            ``(iii) Data acquisition and analysis,
                        including fiber optic sensing tools and
                        methodologies.
                    ``(C) Applications.--
                            ``(i) In general.--An entity seeking a
                        grant under this paragraph shall submit to the
                        Secretary an application at such time, in such
                        manner, and containing such information as the
                        Secretary may require.
                            ``(ii) Prioritization.--In awarding grants
                        under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give
                        priority to the following:
                                    ``(I) Applicants, including for-
                                profit entities and public-private
                                partnerships, with demonstrated
                                expertise relating to in-field
                                development and commercial operations
                                for geothermal energy projects.
                                    ``(II) Projects with the greatest
                                ability to advance near-term commercial
                                deployment of enhanced geothermal
                                systems and closed-loop geothermal
                                systems.
                                    ``(III) Projects that advance the
                                commercialization of geothermal energy
                                projects in diverse geological
                                conditions or supercritical conditions.
                    ``(D) Cost sharing.--The Federal share of the cost
                of a project carried out with a grant under this
                paragraph shall be not more than 80 percent.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $150,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Such amounts shall be
derived from amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the Department.'';
and
            (5) in section 617 (42 U.S.C. 17196; relating to
        organization and administration of programs)--
                    (A) in subsection (e), by striking ``Committee on
                Science and Technology'' and inserting ``Committee on
                Science, Space, and Technology''; and
                    (B) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
    ``(f) Progress Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this subsection and every two years thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that contains the
following:
            ``(1) A description of the maximum potential of geothermal
        resources in the United States, including a consideration of
        next-generation geothermal systems.
            ``(2) Information relating to the results of projects
        undertaken under this section.
            ``(3) An assessment of the barriers to commercialization of
        next-generation geothermal technologies.
            ``(4) Such other information as the Secretary considers
        appropriate.''.
    (b) Update to Geothermal Resource Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2501 of the Energy Policy Act of
        1992 (30 U.S.C. 1028) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
                        by inserting ``quadrennially'' before
                        ``update'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (1)(D)(ii), by striking
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (iii) in paragraph (2), by striking the
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following new
                        paragraph:
            ``(3) to the maximum extent practicable, by assessing
        regions of the United States, including the United States
        territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands,
        Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with significant
        potential for supercritical geothermal (as such term is defined
        in section 612 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of
        2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191)).''; and
                    (B) by striking subsection (d).
            (2) First update.--The first quadrennial update to the
        geothermal resource assessment carried out by the United States
        Geological Survey under subsection (c) of section 2501 of the
        Energy Policy Act of 1992, as amended by paragraph (1), shall
        be completed by not later than two years after the date of the
        enactment of this Act.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is amended by amending
the item relating to section 615 to read as follows:

``Sec. 615. Next-generation geothermal systems research and
                            development.''.
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