[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7568 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7568
To establish programs and requirements related to the production of
geothermal energy in the United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 13, 2026
Mr. Auchincloss (for himself and Mr. Amodei of Nevada) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources,
and Education and Workforce, 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 establish programs and requirements related to the production of
geothermal energy in the United States, 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 ``Hot Rock Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Geothermal energy.--The term ``geothermal energy'' has
the meaning given such term in section 45(c)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) Geothermal reservoir.--The term ``geothermal
reservoir'' means an underground reservoir containing a
geothermal resource or deposit, whether the fluids in the
reservoir are native to the reservoir or flow into or are
injected into the reservoir.
(3) Hot dry rock.--The term ``hot dry rock'' means a
superhot geothermal resource or supercritical geothermal
resources that exists within rocks that have little to no
natural permeability.
(4) Hot dry rock geothermal project.--The term ``hot dry
rock geothermal project'' means the combined surface and
subsurface facilities used to produce electricity or industrial
heat from hot dry rock using a next-generation geothermal
system.
(5) Next-generation geothermal system.--The term ``next-
generation geothermal system'' means a geothermal reservoir
system that is engineered, as opposed to occurring naturally.
(6) Supercritical geothermal resource.--The term
``supercritical geothermal resource'' means a geothermal
resource or deposit that--
(A) consists of natural heat stored in rocks or in
an aqueous liquid or vapor (whether or not under
pressure); and
(B) exists at a temperature equal to or greater
than 375 degrees Celsius.
(7) Superhot geothermal resource.--The term ``superhot
geothermal resource'' means a geothermal resource or deposit
that--
(A) consists of natural heat stored in rocks or in
an aqueous liquid or vapor (whether or not under
pressure); and
(B) exists at a temperature--
(i) equal to 300 degrees Celsius or 374
degrees Celsius; or
(ii) between 300 degrees Celsius and 374
degrees Celsius.
SEC. 3. HOT DRY ROCK GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RESEARCH, TESTING, DEVELOPMENT,
AND DEMONSTRATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
programs in this section should--
(1) effectively address the scientific and engineering
challenges with regard to developing--
(A) cost-competitive hot dry rock geothermal
projects; and
(B) the hot dry rock geothermal energy industry in
the United States; and
(2) support the development of a pathway to producing hot
dry rock geothermal energy on a commercial scale.
(b) Research Grant Programs.--
(1) High-temperature completions research, testing, and
development.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program to
award amounts to eligible entities to research, test, and
develop high-temperature completions, including--
(A) the research and testing of high-temperature
water-rock casings, cements, stimulation tools, and
geochemistry; and
(B) the testing and development of high-temperature
casing and completions.
(2) High-temperature and high-pressure sensing equipment
development.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program to
award amounts to eligible entities--
(A) to develop high-temperature and high-pressure
sensing equipment; and
(B) to support the development of equipment that
can be used for screening, monitoring, and
characterizing the subsurface in an environment of
extreme depths, temperatures, and pressures.
(3) Supercritical fluid properties research and testing.--
The Secretary shall establish a grant program to award amounts
to eligible entities to research and test the properties of
supercritical fluids, fluid flow, fluid-rock interactions, and
fluid assurance characterization.
(4) Hiring and staffing.--The Secretary shall establish a
program to increase staffing relevant to the grant programs
established under paragraphs (1) through (3) and to contract
with scientists to assist with the research, testing, and
technological development associated with the grant programs
established under paragraphs (1) through (3).
(5) Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under
paragraph (1), (2), or (3), an eligible entity shall submit to
the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and
containing such information as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the grant
programs established under this subsection $16,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
(c) Frontier Observatory and Testing Site for Hot Dry Rock
Geothermal Energy Technology Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program
for eligible entities to construct a field research site--
(A) to test, experiment with, and demonstrate hot
dry rock geothermal projects, including drilling
completion, reservoir creation, flow testing, and
production characteristics; and
(B) to provide an advanced and well-resourced
facility with access to a site with required geology,
as determined by the Secretary, including lithology,
composition, and temperature and depth gradients.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this
subsection $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through
2031.
(d) Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Energy Systems Research, Development,
and Demonstration Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program to
support research, development, and demonstration activities and
facility operations of eligible entities to provide solutions
to challenges to the establishment of a commercial hot dry rock
geothermal project, including the following:
(A) The technical feasibility of subsurface
infrastructure for supercritical fluids.
(B) Geothermal reservoir management and thermal
drawdown research.
(C) Advanced deep drilling methods, which
includes--
(i) researching, developing, and
demonstrating energy-based drilling and novel
drilling methods;
(ii) researching thermal physical
properties of rock at extreme temperatures and
pressure conditions; and
(iii) researching the crustal stress and
geomechanics for drilling performed during hot
dry rock geothermal projects.
(D) Proppant research for fracture systems in hot
dry rock geothermal projects.
(E) Wellbore integrity and construction.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this
subsection $16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through
2031.
(e) Milestone-Based Development Grant Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a grant
program to award set amounts to eligible entities that
demonstrate the achievement of a program milestone described in
paragraph (2) to support the development by such eligible
entities of--
(A) wells that reach supercritical temperatures;
(B) processes that bring supercritical fluids to
the surface; and
(C) techniques to harness geothermal energy.
(2) Program milestone.--A program milestone includes the
following activities conducted with the use of a covered
technology as part of a hot dry rock geothermal project:
(A) Drilling at different depths, temperatures, and
pressures.
(B) Geothermal reservoir creation.
(C) Steam production (to measure well flow over
time).
(D) Power production of increasing size.
(E) Other supporting activities, including--
(i) converting a coal plant to accept steam
from a hot dry rock geothermal energy
powerplant;
(ii) energy-based drilling for accessing
depths, temperatures, and pressures previously
inaccessible with conventional drilling
technology; and
(iii) stimulation for hot dry rock
reservoir creation.
(3) Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under this
subsection, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application in such form, at such time, and containing such
information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(4) Covered technology defined.--In this subsection, the
term ``covered technology'' means--
(A) a system for steerable drilling at temperatures
and pressures relevant to geothermal energy production;
(B) a system for cost-effective and efficient
thermoelectric conversion;
(C) a method for using working fluids other than
water;
(D) a new method for casing wells, applicable to
geothermal energy production;
(E) a system for deep drilling, including through
basement rock;
(F) a method for geothermal reservoir creation in
the brittle-ductile transition zone of the crust of the
Earth;
(G) a method for increasing the surface area or
heat transfer rate of a next-generation geothermal
system; or
(H) any other technology determined necessary by
the Secretary for achieving a program milestone
described in paragraph (2).
(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this
subsection $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through
2031.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a National Laboratory;
(B) an institution of higher education (as such
term is defined in section 102(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(a))); or
(C) a private entity.
(2) Proppant.--The term ``proppant'' means particles mixed
with fluids designed to keep an induced fracture open after
stimulation.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy, acting through the Geothermal Technologies Office of
the Department of Energy.
SEC. 4. HOT DRY ROCK GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RISK RESEARCH AND MONITORING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish--
(1) a research program to study the--
(A) seismicity and rock mechanics in the brittle-
ductile transition zone; and
(B) thermal property of rocks, including rock
conductivity, fluid heat capacity, rock heat capacity,
specific heat capacity, and seismicity, with an
emphasis on the characterization impact of hot dry rock
geothermal energy;
(2) a program to map deep basement rocks within each of the
several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory
and possession of the United States; and
(3) a program to monitor the ground water of areas in the
United States affected by the testing and demonstration of
technologies used in the development of hot dry rock geothermal
energy.
(b) Secretary Defined.--In this section, the term ``Secretary''
means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the
United States Geological Survey.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
SEC. 5. WORKFORCE CROSS-TRAINING PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and carry out a
workforce training program under which the Secretary shall enter into
an agreement with at least 2 institutions of higher education (as such
term is defined in section 102(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1002(a))) to train covered individuals to work in the
geothermal energy industry.
(b) Program Requirements.--In carrying out the program established
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out the following
activities:
(1) Offer classroom education, training, and apprenticeship
placements to covered individuals with respect to the following
areas:
(A) Geosciences.
(B) Geophysics.
(C) Computational sciences and engineering.
(D) Geological engineering.
(E) Mechanical engineering.
(F) Process engineering.
(G) Chemical engineering.
(H) Petroleum engineering.
(I) Drilling engineering.
(J) Civil engineering.
(K) Electrical engineering.
(2) Encourage participation by covered individuals who are
members of--
(A) a union; or
(B) an energy community.
(c) Prioritization.--The Secretary shall prioritize the
participation in the program established under subsection (a) of
individuals who work in a role described in subsection (d)(1)(C).
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered individual.--The term ``covered individual''
means an individual who--
(A) is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the
United States;
(B) is an employee of or works as an independent
contractor for a company that is headquartered in the
United States; and
(C) works, prior to or at the time of their
enrollment in the program--
(i) in the oil and gas industry, including
as--
(I) a mechanical engineer;
(II) a drilling engineer;
(III) a reservoir engineer;
(IV) a petroleum engineer;
(V) an electrical engineer;
(VI) an oil rig worker; or
(VII) a geoscientist; or
(ii) as a technician, including as--
(I) a welder;
(II) a machinist;
(III) a pipefitter; or
(IV) an electrician.
(2) Energy community.--The term ``energy community'' has
the meaning given the term in section 45(b)(11)(B) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Labor.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
SEC. 6. STRENGTHENING FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR HOT DRY ROCK GEOTHERMAL
PROJECTS.
(a) Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Project Expert Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish
and carry out a program to provide to the regional and district
offices of the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service
technical assistance with respect to Federal authorizations for
hot dry rock geothermal projects, including research and
development related to hot dry rock geothermal projects.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out this
subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through
2031.
(b) Categorical Exclusion for Exploration and Confirmation of Hot
Dry Rock Geothermal Energy.--Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``, or the Geothermal
Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) for the purpose of
exploration of geothermal resources'' after ``or gas''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or gas'' and
inserting ``, gas, or geothermal''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or gas'' and
inserting ``, gas, or geothermal''.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Expert.--The term ``expert'' means an individual who
works or has worked in the energy sector and has expertise in
disciplines including--
(A) drilling and completion, including casing and
well interventions;
(B) geothermal field operations;
(C) rock mechanics;
(D) geophysics;
(E) exploration technology; or
(F) downhole technology, including packers and wire
line tools.
(2) Federal authorization.--The term ``Federal
authorization''--
(A) means any authorization required under Federal
law with respect to an activity on the area of a lease
issued under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30
U.S.C. 1001 et seq.); and
(B) includes any authorization for siting,
drilling, underground injection, surface operations,
and generation of energy under such a lease.
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