What changed between these versions
A complete substitute amendment significantly restructures the bill. v2 removes all detailed findings, streamlines agency coordination, adds a focus on foreign countries of concern, and expands the list of Indo-Pacific partners and multilateral mechanisms. The specific authorization of appropriations and transfer authority from v1 have been removed.
Overview
Extensive changes throughout the bill, primarily due to a complete substitute amendment. · v2 fundamentally restructures the bill, streamlines some coordination requirements, expands the scope of engagement in the Indo-Pacific, and adds a new focus on national security concerns related to foreign influence in geothermal sectors, while removing specific funding authorizations.
v2 is a complete substitute amendment that fundamentally restructures the "Pacific POWER Act." The most significant changes include the deletion of all 14 detailed findings from v1, the removal of the definition for "relevant United States agencies," and the addition of a new requirement to assess foreign countries of concern's involvement in geothermal sectors. Additionally, v2 expands the list of Indo-Pacific partners and multilateral mechanisms for geothermal diplomacy, while removing specific authorization of appropriations and transfer authority.
Major additions
This new paragraph requires the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to assess the extent to which foreign countries of concern (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 4872(d)) are involved in, or may seek to influence or control, the geothermal energy sectors, supply chains, infrastructure, financing, or related critical minerals of countries identified for geothermal development.
This addition introduces a critical national security dimension to the International Geothermal Program, mandating an analysis of geopolitical risks and foreign influence, particularly from adversarial nations, in the development of geothermal resources. This significantly broadens the scope of the initial assessment.
Adds Thailand to the list of Indo-Pacific allies and partners that the Secretary shall prioritize engaging with on opportunities to collaborate on geothermal energy.
Expands the geographical reach and diplomatic focus of the geothermal initiative to include another key country in Southeast Asia, potentially increasing the program's impact and strategic importance in the region.
Adds "United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations dialogues and energy engagements" to the list of existing multilateral mechanisms the Secretary shall use to advance cooperation on geothermal energy.
Integrates a significant regional bloc (ASEAN) into the multilateral diplomacy strategy, enhancing the program's ability to coordinate and leverage broader regional platforms for geothermal development.
Adds a general requirement to consult with "agencies with relevant expertise" when preparing the assessment report on global geothermal resources.
Broadens the consultation base for the initial assessment, ensuring input from a wider array of governmental bodies beyond those specifically listed, potentially leading to a more comprehensive report.
Deletions
This section defined "relevant United States agencies" to include the Departments of Energy, Interior, Commerce, Treasury, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the United States Trade and Development Agency, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
The removal of this specific definition streamlines the text by no longer requiring explicit mention of "relevant United States agencies" throughout the bill. However, it necessitates changes in coordination language in other sections, shifting from a defined list of agencies to more general terms like "Secretary of Energy" or "agencies with relevant expertise." This implies a more focused or potentially less broad coordination mandate in some areas.
This entire section contained 14 detailed findings by Congress, outlining the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, energy security vulnerabilities, China's role in energy systems, the potential of geothermal energy, and the United States' leadership in geothermal technology.
The deletion of these findings removes the explicit congressional rationale and background context for the bill's objectives. While some of the sentiment is retained in the "Sense of Congress" section, the detailed justifications, particularly regarding China's influence and specific energy statistics, are no longer part of the bill's legislative text. This could simplify the bill but removes a comprehensive statement of intent.
This section authorized the appropriation of "such sums as necessary" to the Secretary of State to carry out Section 6 (Establishment of International Geothermal Program and Country Selection) for fiscal years 2027 to 2031.
The removal of this authorization means that v2 no longer contains a specific legislative directive for funding the International Geothermal Program. Future funding would need to be secured through other legislative processes, potentially impacting the program's assured financial backing.
This section granted the Secretary of State authority to transfer funds appropriated under subsection (g) to relevant United States agencies if deemed necessary to carry out the Act, with a 15-day notification to Congress.
The deletion of this transfer authority, coupled with the removal of the appropriations authorization in 7(g), means there is no explicit mechanism for the Secretary of State to reallocate funds to other agencies for program implementation. This centralizes financial control or requires alternative funding and transfer mechanisms.
Modifications
This is a technical correction due to the renumbering of the "Establishment of International Geothermal Program and Country Selection" section from 6 to 5. It ensures the definition correctly points to the program's partner selection mechanism in v2.
Before
Defined "geothermal partners" as the United States allies and partners selected pursuant to section 6.
After
Defines "geothermal partners" as the United States allies and partners selected pursuant to section 5.
This modification slightly softens the directive from Congress. While still encouraging agreements, changing "prioritize" to "promote" suggests a less urgent or less singularly focused approach, allowing for more flexibility in diplomatic efforts.
Before
Stated that the United States "should prioritize the pursuit of bilateral memoranda of understanding or other appropriate agreements" on geothermal energy.
After
States that the United States "should promote the pursuit of bilateral memoranda of understanding or other appropriate agreements" on geothermal energy.
This change centralizes the coordination for the initial assessment report under the Secretary of Energy, rather than a broader, defined list of "relevant United States agencies" (which definition was also removed). This streamlines coordination but potentially narrows the explicit interagency input for this specific task.
Before
Required the Secretary, "in coordination with relevant United States agencies," to develop and submit a report.
After
Requires the Secretary, "in coordination with the Secretary of Energy," to develop and submit a report.
This change clarifies that the Secretary of State is the primary entity responsible for consultation, rather than implying a joint consultation responsibility with "relevant agencies." This aligns with the removal of the "relevant United States agencies" definition.
Before
Stated that "the Secretary and relevant agencies shall consult with--"
After
Stated that "the Secretary shall consult with--"
This is a technical correction due to the renumbering of the "Geothermal Diplomacy" section from 5 to 4. It ensures the program correctly references its diplomatic objectives in v2.
Before
Stated the Program would carry out "section 5."
After
Stated the Program would carry out "section 4."
This removes the explicit interagency coordination for partner selection, placing the primary responsibility with the Secretary of State. The cross-reference update is a technical correction.
Before
Required the Secretary, "in coordination with relevant United States agencies," to select partners, and stated the selection would be informed by the report required under "subsection (a)."
After
Removed "in coordination with relevant United States agencies," and stated the selection would be informed by the report required under "subsection (a)."
Removes the explicit interagency coordination for establishing the advisory mechanism. The addition of "use and protections" to data advice broadens the scope of the advisory group's input to include critical aspects of data security and governance, reflecting an enhanced focus on responsible data handling.
Before
Required the Secretary, "in coordination with relevant agencies," to establish an advisory mechanism, and stated the mechanism would "advise on technical standards, data, policy..."
After
Removed "in coordination with relevant agencies," and stated the mechanism would "advise on technical standards, data use and protections, policy..."
Removes the explicit interagency coordination for submitting the strategy report, placing primary responsibility with the Secretary of State. The cross-reference update is a technical correction.
Before
Required the Secretary, "in coordination with relevant United States agencies," to submit a strategy report after partner selection pursuant to "section 6."
After
Removed "in coordination with relevant United States agencies," and required the report after partner selection pursuant to "section 5."
Technical correction due to renumbering of the program establishment section from 6 to 5.
Before
Stated the Program established in "section 6" shall be led by the Under Secretary.
After
Stated the Program established in "section 5" shall be led by the Under Secretary.
Removes the explicit interagency coordination for submitting the annual report. The cross-reference update is a technical correction.
Before
Required the Secretary, "in coordination with relevant United States agencies," to submit an annual report, including status of agreements pursuant to "section 6(f)."
After
Removed "in coordination with relevant United States agencies," and included status of agreements pursuant to "section 5(f)."
This broadens the scope of agencies to be convened for coordination, moving from a specific, defined list (which was deleted) to a more general category. The cross-reference updates are technical corrections.
Before
Required the Under Secretary to convene "relevant agencies" and the advisory group established in "section 6(g)" and implement the Program established in "section 6."
After
Required the Under Secretary to convene "agencies with relevant expertise" and the advisory group established in "section 5(g)" and implement the Program established in "section 5."
Scope
Fundamental restructuring — Changes are scattered throughout the bill, affecting definitions, the foundational statements (findings, sense of Congress), and the operational details of the International Geothermal Program and its implementation. — Yes, v2 represents a meaningful change in policy direction by removing the detailed findings, streamlining interagency coordination in some areas, and significantly adding a national security focus on foreign influence in geothermal sectors. The removal of specific appropriations authorization also shifts the funding landscape. — The deletion of the "relevant United States agencies" definition interacts with numerous provisions in v1 that relied on this definition for coordination, leading to specific modifications in v2 to replace or remove these references. The renumbering of sections also necessitated widespread cross-reference updates.
Impact analysis
Congressional committees (Foreign Relations, Energy and Natural Resources, Appropriations in Senate; Foreign Affairs, Energy and Commerce, Appropriations in House)
Gain (more information/oversight)
In v1, these committees received a report that did not explicitly include an assessment of foreign countries of concern in geothermal sectors. In v2, the assessment report they receive (Section 5(a)) must now include this new national security analysis.
Agencies previously defined as "relevant United States agencies" (e.g., Departments of Interior, Commerce, Treasury, DFC, Ex-Im Bank, MCC)
Procedural change (less explicit, mandated coordination in some areas)
In v1, these agencies were explicitly named as part of "relevant United States agencies" and were involved in coordination for the assessment report (v1 Section 6(a)), partner selection (v1 Section 6(e)), strategy submission (v1 Section 7(a)), and annual reports (v1 Section 7(d)). In v2, the specific definition is removed, and coordination for these tasks is either centralized under the Secretary of Energy or shifted to a more general "agencies with relevant expertise" or simply "the Secretary."
Countries in the Indo-Pacific region
Gain (expanded diplomatic focus and potential for collaboration)
In v1, 8 specific countries were prioritized for engagement. In v2, Thailand is added to this prioritized list (Section 4(b)).
Entities involved in multilateral energy dialogues
Gain (expanded platform for cooperation)
In v1, 6 specific multilateral mechanisms were to be used for geothermal cooperation. In v2, "United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations dialogues and energy engagements" is added (Section 4(c)).
The International Geothermal Program
Loss (reduced explicit funding certainty)
In v1, the program had a specific authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 2027-2031 (Section 7(g)) and transfer authority for funds (Section 7(h)). In v2, these specific funding and transfer provisions are removed.
Private sector and nonprofit organizations providing data advice to the advisory mechanism
Procedural change (expanded scope of advisory input)
In v1, their advice on data was general. In v2, their advisory role is explicitly expanded to include "data use and protections" (Section 5(g)(2)).