Measure would support geothermal research and map U.S. resources

The Energy Secretary would support research, testing, demonstrations, and commercial work on next-generation geothermal systems. The program would cover enhanced geothermal, closed-loop geothermal, and certain systems operating at supercritical temperatures. The program would include research on supercritical geothermal systems and milestone-based grants for deep drilling projects in distinct geological settings. The Secretary would award grants to colleges and private organizations and share results publicly as far as practicable.

The Energy Secretary would work with the Interior Secretary to commission deep exploration boreholes and share the resulting data publicly. The Interior Secretary would commission boreholes deeper than 8 kilometers in representative geological areas of the United States. The boreholes would explore underground heat, rock type, and stress. The agencies would prioritize heat, rock, and stress information from deep boreholes when practicable.

The Interior Secretary, through the U.S. Geological Survey Director, would complete geothermal resource assessments and develop assessment methods. The assessment work would cover U.S. geothermal resources and regions with significant potential for supercritical geothermal energy. The assessments would cover conventional hydrothermal and next-generation resources, including enhanced geothermal systems. The first assessments would count as the first update required after enactment. The Director would complete updated assessments within 2 years after enactment and develop methods and complete an initial assessment of next-generation resources within 5 years.

The Energy Secretary would award grants for geothermal research centers and technology improvements. Eligible center applicants include national laboratories, research partnerships, state geological surveys, colleges, and related groups. Other grants could support commercial geothermal technologies and surface equipment. Competitive, merit-reviewed grants could support FORGE-related work and a next-generation geothermal center of excellence. Commercial-readiness grants would focus on enhanced and closed-loop systems; the federal share could not exceed 80 percent for those grants. The text authorizes $5 million each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031 for the program described in subsection (e). The text authorizes $5 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the program described in subsection (e).