Reps. Salinas, Harrigan, Introduce Legislation to Unlock Oregon’s Geothermal Energy Potential

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Pat Harrigan (NC-10), introduced the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, a bipartisan bill that would accelerate development of clean, continuous geothermal energy across the United States. The bill would improve coordination between the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior to better understand and map geothermal resources across the country, expand testing capabilities at DOE's Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy sites, establish a geothermal Center of Excellence, and authorize $150 million per year through Fiscal Year 2031 to support these activities.

"Geothermal energy has enormous potential to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power around the clock while creating good-paying, union jobs," said Rep. Salinas."Oregon is uniquely positioned to help lead this work. With our state's geology, high subsurface temperatures, and growing clean energy sector, we have an opportunity to drive innovation that can benefit communities across the country. This bipartisan bill will help advance the research, testing, and workforce development needed to meet our electricity demand."

"America has an enormous source of clean, reliable, baseload power sitting right beneath our feet, and we are barely scratching the surface of what it can do," said Rep. Harrigan. "A supercritical geothermal well can produce more than seven times the energy of a conventional geothermal well, and next-generation geothermal has the potential to deliver 90 gigawatts of power to the United States alone. This bill puts the Department of Energy to work solving the engineering challenges standing between us and that potential through the kind of public-private partnerships that actually get results."

Geothermal energy currently accounts for less than one percent of U.S. electricity production, but recent technological advances could dramatically expand where geothermal energy can be deployed. Next-generation geothermal technologies use advanced drilling and subsurface engineering to access heat resources in a wider range of geographies, creating the potential for clean, 24/7 power that can complement solar and wind energy.

Oregon is especially well positioned to benefit from these developments. Newberry Volcano, located south of Bend, has some of the hottest subsurface temperatures near the surface in the United States and has become a major testing ground for supercritical geothermal technologies.

The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act would:

• Improve coordination between DOE, Interior, and other relevant federal agencies on geothermal data sharing, exploration, and subsurface heat mapping;
• Authorize regional data probes and site selection studies to better identify supercritical geothermal resources;
• Expand DOE FORGE testing capabilities to include next-generation geothermal technologies;
• Establish a new DOE research and development program focused on next-generation geothermal systems, including deep drilling and equipment design;
• Require a study on water needs for next-generation geothermal systems;
• Create a Next-Generation Geothermal Center of Excellence to support research, workforce development, industry coordination, and best practices; and
• Authorize commercial readiness innovation grants to help improve drilling equipment, components, and other technologies needed for deployment.

"Next-generation geothermal technologies have the potential to significantly expand access to reliable, domestic energy, but continued innovation and investment are critical to scaling deployment. The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act provides a clear pathway to advance these technologies-from research through commercialization-while strengthening U.S. energy security. Geothermal Rising Action commends Representatives Andrea Salinas and Pat Harrigan for their bipartisan leadership in advancing this forward-looking legislation," said Caity Smith, President, Geothermal Rising Action.

"The U.S. leads in geothermal energy, with vast potential for this clean, reliable energy source. This bipartisan bill will accelerate next-generation geothermal technologies, like Superhot Rock Energy, by targeting R&D for geothermal innovation, improving data collection, and expanding learning and information sharing - all critical components to help unlock our nation's geothermal potential. This is a bold step forward that will help scale geothermal nationwide and keep the U.S. at the forefront of innovation," said Terra Rogers, Director for Superhot Rock Energy, Clean Air Task Force.

"This bipartisan bill is an important step toward real-world demonstrations that unlock superhot geothermal for all Americans. Quaise supports next-generation geothermal R&D, testing, and the data we need to commercialize 24/7 affordable power nationwide," said Matthew Houde, Co-founder & Chief of Staff, Quaise Energy.

To read the full text of this legislation, click here.