HouseH.R. 8790119th Congress
Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act
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[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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