S. 4406

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4406 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4406

To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application 
activities in support of next-generation geothermal systems in various 
conditions, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 28, 2026

Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the 
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application 
activities in support of next-generation geothermal systems in various 
conditions, 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 ``Next-Generation Geothermal Research 
and Development Act''.

SEC. 2. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY.

(a) EISA Definitions.--Section 612 of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (8) as 
paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (12), 
respectively;
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
the following:
``(1) Closed-loop geothermal systems.--The term `closed-
loop geothermal systems' means a wellbore or subsurface circuit 
of wellbores containing a fluid heated through contact with the 
borehole wall.''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) 
the following:
``(9) Next-generation geothermal systems.--The term `next-
generation geothermal systems' means--
``(A) enhanced geothermal systems;
``(B) closed-loop geothermal systems; and
``(C) in supercritical conditions--
``(i) enhanced geothermal systems;
``(ii) closed-loop geothermal systems; or
``(iii) other technologies, as determined 
by the Secretary.
``(10) Supercritical conditions.--The term `supercritical 
conditions' means subsurface temperature conditions at or above 
the supercritical temperature of the primary fluid present.
``(11) Supercritical geothermal.--The term `supercritical 
geothermal' means energy derived from a subsurface geologic 
rock resource existing in-situ at or above the supercritical 
temperature of the primary fluid present.''.
(b) Hydrothermal Research and Development Programs.--Section 
613(b)(1) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
U.S.C. 17192(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``advanced geologic tools to 
assist'' and inserting ``advanced tools, including machine learning 
algorithms, to assist''.
(c) Geothermal Systems Research and Development.--Section 614 of 
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17193) is 
amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``among the Office of 
Fossil Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy,'' and inserting ``across the Department''; and
(2) in subsection (h)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and publicly 
available subsurface data, including data reported as 
part of fossil fuel and mining operations,'' after 
``geothermal drilling information''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the 
following:
``(C) Updates.--The repository established under 
paragraph (1) shall be periodically updated in order to 
carry out the following:
``(i) Standardize data in a uniform manner 
to the maximum extent practicable and enable 
analysis across different projects.
``(ii) Enhance the accessibility and 
usability of data to increase analysis of 
geothermal energy, including next-generation 
geothermal systems on regional, local, and 
site-specific scales.
``(iii) Increase uses of data, including 
data viewable by map and organization by common 
attributes such as region.
``(iv) Make other improvements in 
functionality and usability, as determined by 
the Secretary.
``(D) Memorandum of understanding.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
enter into a memorandum of understanding with 
the Secretary of the Interior, and may enter 
into a memorandum of understanding with the 
head of any other relevant Federal department 
or agency, for notifying, sharing, and 
providing opportunities for additional data 
collection regarding shared geothermal 
development data from projects funded by each 
applicable department or agency, including data 
from mining, critical minerals, and energy 
projects, such as subsurface heat data, seismic 
data, lithology data, boundaries of State-
protected and federally protected areas, and 
existing transmission capacity.
``(ii) Prioritization.--To the maximum 
extent practicable, activities conducted under 
a memorandum of understanding entered into 
under clause (i) shall prioritize heat, 
lithology, and strain profiles through deep 
exploration boreholes and control points for 
deep heat mapping and geothermal development.
``(E) Regional deep data probes.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall work 
with the Secretary of the Interior, who shall 
be responsible for commissioning the drilling 
of deep exploration boreholes deeper than 8 
kilometers in depth in representative 
geological provinces in the United States to 
provide control points for deep heat mapping 
and geothermal development.
``(ii) Requirements.--The resulting data 
shall--
``(I) include an exploration of 
heat, lithology, and subsurface stress 
state; and
``(II) be shared publicly on the 
drilling data repository.''.
(d) Enhanced Geothermal Systems Research and Development.--Section 
615 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 
17194) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``research and 
development'' and inserting ``and closed-loop geothermal 
systems research, development, and testing'';
(2) by inserting ``and closed-loop geothermal systems'' 
after ``enhanced geothermal systems'' each place it appears;
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and 
Closed-loop Geothermal Systems'' after ``Systems'';
(B) in paragraph (11), by striking ``and'' at the 
end;
(C) in paragraph (12), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(13) the research topics described in paragraphs (1) 
through (12) in supercritical conditions.'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) by inserting ``systems and closed-loop 
geothermal systems'' after ``enhanced geothermal'' each 
place it appears;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph 
(8); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) Testing of next-generation geothermal systems in 
supercritical conditions.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and 
Development Act, the Secretary shall take such actions as may 
be necessary to ensure that at least 1 FORGE site has the 
capabilities to include testing of next-generation geothermal 
systems in supercritical conditions.'';
(5) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and 
Closed-loop Geothermal Systems'' after ``Systems''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ``and closed-
loop geothermal'' after ``enhanced geothermal''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development 
Program.--
``(1) In general.--Within the Geothermal Technologies 
Office of the Department, the Secretary shall support a 
program, to be called the `Next-Generation Research and 
Development Program', for next-generation geothermal systems 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
application activities.
``(2) Supercritical geothermal.--
``(A) In general.--The program described in 
paragraph (1) shall include research on supercritical 
geothermal, including on the following topics in 
supercritical conditions:
``(i) Well completion.
``(ii) Reservoir creation and management, 
including drilling tools, casing production 
equipment, proppants, and packers.
``(iii) Materials development and equipment 
design, including power production, specific to 
supercritical geothermal systems.
``(iv) Sensor development.
``(v) Water-rock geochemistry.
``(vi) Rock properties.
``(vii) Hard rock and deep drilling.
``(viii) Any other topics the Secretary 
determines necessary.
``(B) Milestone-based grants.--In carrying out 
supercritical geothermal research under the program 
described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall award 
milestone-based grants for deep drilling projects in 
unique geodynamic settings at each of the following 
milestones:
``(i) Tectonic crustal stress and fracture 
characterization.
``(ii) Laboratory work.
``(iii) Drilling.
``(iv) Flow testing.
``(v) Power production.
``(C) Administration.--The Secretary shall 
administer grants to institutions of higher education 
and private sector entities to carry out activities on 
the topics described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) and, 
to the maximum extent practicable, share data, results, 
and information publicly.
``(3) Report on water use.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on 
estimated water withdrawal and consumption of next-
generation geothermal systems.
``(B) Requirements.--The report required under 
subparagraph (A) shall include an analysis of--
``(i) the ability of next-generation 
geothermal systems to use brackish and non-
potable water;
``(ii) the withdrawal and consumption of 
water per megawatt hour of next-generation 
geothermal systems, as compared to other power-
generation technologies; and
``(iii) technological and operational 
improvements that could lead to decreases in 
water withdrawal and consumption of next-
generation geothermal systems.
``(4) Next-generation geothermal center of excellence.--
``(A) Establishment.--The Secretary shall award 
grants, through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, 
to National Laboratories (as defined in section 2 of 
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)) 
(referred to in this paragraph as the `National 
Laboratories'), multi-institutional collaborations, 
public-private partnerships, State geological surveys, 
or institutions of higher education (or consortia 
thereof), for the following:
``(i) The continuation and expansion of 
research, development, demonstration, testing, 
and commercial application activities 
applicable to FORGE sites, including activities 
in supercritical conditions.
``(ii) The establishment of a next-
generation geothermal systems center of 
excellence.
``(B) Location.--In selecting National 
Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations, 
public-private partnerships, or institutions of higher 
education for the establishment of a center of 
excellence under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall 
consider the following criteria:
``(i) Whether the institution hosts an 
existing geothermal energy research and 
development program.
``(ii) Whether the institution has proven 
technical expertise to support geothermal 
energy research.
``(iii) Whether the institution has access 
to diverse geothermal resources to support 
next-generation geothermal systems in various 
conditions.
``(C) Purpose.--A center of excellence established 
under subparagraph (A) shall coordinate among existing 
FORGE sites, the Department, institutions of higher 
education, and National Laboratories to carry out the 
following:
``(i) Advance research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application of 
next-generation geothermal systems, including 
supercritical geothermal technologies, to 
address both fundamental scientific challenges 
and industry and commercial needs, including by 
partnering with other academic or research 
institutions, industry, nongovernmental 
organizations, Tribal entities (including 
Alaska Native Corporations), and State, local, 
or Tribal governments.
``(ii) Foster collaboration for education, 
research, and partnership initiatives in order 
to support the technology, deployment, and 
workforce needs of the United States geothermal 
energy industry, including a focus on next-
generation geothermal systems.
``(iii) Support workforce development 
across the next-generation geothermal systems 
energy development lifecycle.
``(iv) Provide educational, technical, and 
analytical assistance on next-generation 
geothermal systems to Federal agencies, 
industry, and State, local, and Tribal 
governments.
``(v) Collect and disseminate information 
on best practices in all areas relating to 
developing and managing geothermal energy 
resources and energy systems, including next-
generation geothermal systems.
``(5) Commercial-readiness innovation grants.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants 
to accelerate the development, testing, and 
implementation of innovative technologies identified by 
in-field operations as areas for improving the 
performance of commercial geothermal energy projects 
using enhanced geothermal systems and closed-loop 
geothermal systems.
``(B) Focus areas.--Grants may be awarded under 
this paragraph for innovative technologies, including--
``(i) hardrock drilling equipment, 
components, and systems, including bit design 
and vibration control;
``(ii) reservoir characterization, well 
design and spacing, and completions; and
``(iii) data acquisition and analysis, 
including fiber optic sensing tools and 
methodologies.
``(C) Applications.--
``(i) In general.--An entity seeking a 
grant under this paragraph shall submit to the 
Secretary an application at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require.
``(ii) Prioritization.--In awarding grants 
under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give 
priority to--
``(I) applicants, especially for-
profit entities and public-private 
partnerships, with demonstrated success 
relating to in-field development and 
commercial operations for geothermal 
energy projects;
``(II) projects with the greatest 
ability to advance near-term commercial 
deployment of enhanced geothermal 
systems and closed-loop geothermal 
systems; and
``(III) projects that advance the 
commercialization of geothermal energy 
projects in diverse geological 
conditions or supercritical conditions.
``(D) Cost sharing.--The Federal share of the cost 
of a project carried out with a grant under this 
paragraph shall be not more than 80 percent.
``(6) Next-generation geothermal systems surface facility 
innovation grants.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants 
for innovation in the operation, cost, and design of 
surface facility components of next-generation 
geothermal systems.
``(B) Focus areas.--Grants may be awarded under 
this paragraph for development and testing of 
innovative technologies, including--
``(i) improved organic Rankine cycle 
generation efficiency, working fluids, and 
performance at low and supercritical 
temperatures;
``(ii) improved performance of air-cooled 
condensers in warm ambient weather conditions, 
and improved efficiency of water-cooled 
condensers; and
``(iii) component and facility design, 
including gathering lines, generation unit 
standardization, and data collection and 
monitoring.
``(C) Applications.--
``(i) In general.--An entity seeking a 
grant under this paragraph shall submit to the 
Secretary an application at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require.
``(ii) Prioritization.--In awarding grants 
under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give 
priority to--
``(I) applicants, especially 
private entities and public-private 
partnerships, with demonstrated success 
relating to in-field operation of 
geothermal energy technologies, 
including manufacturing power 
generation and industrial energy 
components;
``(II) projects with the greatest 
ability to advance near-term commercial 
deployment of geothermal energy 
projects; and
``(III) projects that advance the 
commercialization of geothermal energy 
projects in diverse geological 
conditions or in supercritical 
conditions.
``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 
through 2031.''.
(e) Organization and Administration of Programs.--Section 617 of 
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17196) is 
amended--
(1) in subsection (e), by striking ``Committee on Science 
and Technology'' and inserting ``Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology''; and
(2) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
``(f) Progress Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development 
Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate a report that contains the following:
``(1) A description of the maximum potential of geothermal 
resources in the United States, including the States of Alaska 
and Hawaii, using the geothermal resource assessment under 
section 2501 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (30 U.S.C. 1028) 
or other such means, as the Secretary determines appropriate, 
including a consideration of next-generation geothermal 
systems.
``(2) Information relating to the results of projects 
undertaken under this section.
``(3) An assessment of the barriers to commercialization of 
next-generation geothermal systems.
``(4) Such other information as the Secretary considers 
appropriate.''.
(f) Reauthorization of Advanced Geothermal Innovation Leadership.--
Section 623 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
U.S.C. 17202) is amended--
(1) by striking ``There are authorized'' and inserting the 
following:
``(a) In General.--There are authorized''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Program Continuance.--In addition to amounts provided under 
section 615(e), there are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary to carry out the programs under this subtitle such sums as 
are necessary for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031, to remain 
available until expended.''.
(g) International Geothermal Energy Development.--Section 624(a) of 
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17203(a)) 
is amended by striking ``system resources'' and inserting ``systems 
resources''.
(h) Update to Geothermal Resource Assessment.--Section 2501 of the 
Energy Policy Act of 1992 (30 U.S.C. 1028) is amended--
(1) by striking ``acting through the United States 
Geological Survey'' each place it appears and inserting 
``acting through the Director of the United States Geological 
Survey'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
inserting ``, subject to subsection (d), 
quadrennially'' after ``shall'';
(B) in paragraph (1)(D)(ii), by striking ``and'' at 
the end;
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by inserting ``, State geological 
surveys,'' after ``State officials''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) by assessing regions of the United States with 
significant potential for supercritical geothermal (as defined 
in section 612 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191)).''; and
(3) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Initial Assessments.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and 
Development Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through 
the Director of the United States Geological Survey (referred 
to in this subsection as the `Director'), shall complete 
updated assessments of--
``(A) conventional hydrothermal resources; and
``(B) next-generation geothermal resources, 
including enhanced geothermal systems.
``(2) Methodologies.--Not later than 5 years after the date 
of enactment of the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and 
Development Act, the Director shall develop methodologies for, 
and complete an initial assessment of, next-generation 
geothermal resources, including supercritical geothermal 
systems.
``(3) Interim products.--In carrying out paragraphs (1) and 
(2), the Director may publish interim datasets, analyses, or 
partial assessments prior to the completion of a full 
assessment under those paragraphs.
``(4) Prioritization.--To the extent practicable, the 
Director shall prioritize carrying out geothermal resource 
assessments in a sustained effort and manner consistent with 
the requirements of the Advanced Geothermal Energy Research and 
Development Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191 et seq.).
``(5) Implementation.--The completion of the initial 
assessments required under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall satisfy 
the first update required after the date of enactment of the 
Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act under 
subsection (c).''.
(i) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the Energy 
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001 note; Public Law 
110-140) is amended by striking the item relating to section 615 and 
inserting the following:

``Sec. 615. Enhanced geothermal systems and closed-loop geothermal 
systems research, development, and 
testing.''.
<all>