H.R. 7568

[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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