Technical corrections only. The two versions of H.R. 8790 are substantively identical, with the only changes being the procedural status (Engrossed in House vs. Referred in Senate) and the attesting clerk. No substantive policy changes were made between v3 and v4.
Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]
- Committees
- Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 21, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of advanced geothermal energy technologies through increased federal R&D, data sharing, and strategic investments.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to significantly expand federal research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities for advanced geothermal energy. It introduces new definitions for 'closed-loop geothermal systems,' 'next-generation geothermal systems,' and 'supercritical geothermal,' and directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish new R&D programs, a center of excellence, and commercial-readiness grants focused on these technologies. The bill also enhances data sharing requirements, mandates inter-agency coordination, and requires quadrennial updates to geothermal resource assessments by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill is a critical step towards achieving energy independence and decarbonization goals by unlocking vast, untapped domestic geothermal resources. They contend that next-generation geothermal systems, particularly those operating in supercritical conditions, offer a reliable, baseload, and low-carbon energy source that can complement intermittent renewables and create high-paying jobs in the energy sector. Supporters emphasize the importance of federal investment in high-risk, high-reward R&D to drive innovation that the private sector might not undertake alone.
Opponents contend
No specific organized opposition to this bill's core premise of geothermal R&D has been publicly identified. However, potential critics might raise concerns about the scale of federal investment compared to other renewable energy technologies, questioning whether the authorized funds could be more effectively deployed elsewhere. Some might also express skepticism about the near-term commercial viability of highly complex technologies like supercritical geothermal, suggesting that resources could be better spent on more mature renewable options.
The bill is moderately complex due to its technical nature and amendments to existing law, requiring careful reading. The estimated reading time of 12 minutes is reasonable for an informed reader to grasp its provisions.
Section 2(a)(1)
Expanded Geothermal Definitions
This provision updates the definitions within the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. It formally defines 'closed-loop geothermal systems' as subsurface circuits where fluid is heated by borehole contact, and 'next-generation geothermal systems' to include enhanced, closed-loop, and supercritical geothermal technologies. It also defines 'supercritical geothermal' as energy from subsurface rock resources at or above supercritical temperature or pressure conditions of the primary fluid.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that clear, updated definitions are essential for focusing federal R&D efforts and ensuring that funding targets the most promising and innovative geothermal technologies, particularly those with significant untapped potential like supercritical systems.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against definitional updates, as they are considered standard legislative practice to clarify scope and intent.
Tradeoffs
The primary tension is ensuring that definitions are broad enough to encourage innovation but specific enough to provide clear direction for R&D, avoiding ambiguity that could dilute program effectiveness.
Section 2(a)(3)(B)-(F)
Enhanced Geothermal Data Repository and Inter-Agency Coordination
This section significantly expands the national geothermal data repository to include publicly available subsurface data from fossil fuel and mining operations, aiming to standardize and enhance data accessibility. It mandates the Secretary of Energy to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Secretary of the Interior and other federal departments for sharing geothermal development data, prioritizing specific heat, lithology, and strain profiles. Furthermore, it authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to commission regional supercritical geothermal exploration boreholes and conduct a study on optimal site selection, including in U.S. territories.
Section 2(a)(4)(D)(ii)
FORGE Site Expansion for Next-Generation Testing
This provision requires the Secretary of Energy to ensure that at least one existing Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) site gains the capabilities to conduct next-generation geothermal testing, specifically including activities in supercritical conditions, within one year of the bill's enactment. This expands the scope of FORGE sites beyond traditional enhanced geothermal systems.
Section 2(e)(1)-(2)
Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Program
This section establishes a new, dedicated program within the Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office to support research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities for next-generation geothermal systems, including those in supercritical conditions. The program will focus on critical areas such as well completion, permeability creation, materials development for high-temperature/pressure environments, sensor development, water-rock geochemistry, rock properties, and hard rock/deep drilling techniques. It prioritizes projects that produce iterative data for deep drilling in unique geodynamic settings.
Section 2(e)(3)
Report on Water Use in Geothermal Systems
This provision mandates the Secretary of Energy to submit a report to Congress within five years detailing the water use and estimated needs of enhanced, closed-loop, and next-generation geothermal systems. The report must also assess the ability of these systems to utilize brackish and nonpotable water, compare their water withdrawal and consumption per megawatt-hour to other power generation technologies, and identify technological improvements to decrease water use.
Section 2(e)(4)
Next-Generation Geothermal Center of Excellence
This provision directs the Secretary of Energy to award competitive, merit-reviewed grants for the establishment of a 'next-generation geothermal systems center of excellence.' Eligible entities include National Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations, public-private partnerships, or institutions of higher education. The center will coordinate research, development, demonstration, testing, and commercial application activities, including for supercritical geothermal, foster collaboration, support workforce development, and provide technical assistance to federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as industry.
Section 2(e)(5)
Commercial-Readiness Innovation Grants
This provision authorizes the Secretary of Energy to award grants aimed at accelerating the development, testing, and implementation of innovative technologies that improve the performance of commercial geothermal energy projects using next-generation systems. Focus areas for these grants include hardrock drilling equipment, reservoir characterization, well design, and advanced data acquisition and analysis tools. Priority is given to applicants with demonstrated expertise in in-field development and commercial operations, projects advancing near-term commercial deployment, and those in diverse geological or supercritical conditions. Federal cost-sharing is capped at 80 percent.
Section 2(f)
Authorization of Appropriations
This provision authorizes the appropriation of $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the activities outlined in this section (Section 615 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, as amended). These funds are to be derived from amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the Department of Energy.
Section 2(b)
Quadrennial Geothermal Resource Assessment Update
This provision amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to update its geothermal resource assessment quadrennially (every four years). Critically, these updates must now, to the maximum extent practicable, assess regions of the United States and its territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) with significant potential for supercritical geothermal. The first such quadrennial update is mandated to be completed within two years of the bill's enactment.
Amends the existing hydrothermal research and development section to explicitly include 'machine learning algorithms' as an advanced tool to assist in hydrothermal research and development.
Section 2(a)(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for updating technical language in existing statutes, rather than an attempt to obscure the provision.
Case for: Proponents would argue that explicitly including machine learning acknowledges its growing importance in optimizing exploration, drilling, and reservoir management for all types of geothermal systems, ensuring federal R&D stays current with technological advancements.
Case against: No specific case against this minor technical update is likely, as it enhances the tools available for research.
Estimated impact: This change could lead to increased integration of AI and machine learning techniques across federal geothermal R&D projects, potentially improving efficiency and discovery rates in hydrothermal systems.
Within the mandate for an inter-agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on data sharing, this clause specifically prioritizes activities that collect 'heat, lithology, and strain profiles through deep exploration boreholes and control points for deep heat mapping and geothermal development.'
Section 2(a)(3)(D)(ii)
Why it matters:This is a technical detail that specifies the most valuable types of data for advanced geothermal exploration, which is common in legislative text to provide precise guidance to agencies.
Case for: Proponents would argue that this specific prioritization ensures the most critical geological and thermal data, essential for understanding and developing deep and supercritical geothermal resources, is collected and shared, maximizing the utility of the MOU.
Case against: No specific case against this prioritization is likely, as it focuses on scientifically valuable data for geothermal development.
Estimated impact: This detail ensures that inter-agency data sharing efforts are strategically focused on the most impactful data types for advancing deep geothermal understanding, potentially accelerating breakthroughs in resource characterization.