Murkowski, Cortez Masto Propose Roadmap for Development of Next Generation Geothermal Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) unveiled the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, a roadmap for America’s research, development, and demonstration of next-generation geothermal systems. Next-generation geothermal technology uses the heat (100-400º+ C) from rocks several kilometers below the surface of the earth to produce electricity.
“Alaska holds some of the most promising geothermal resources in the world,” said Senator Murkowski. “At a time when energy prices are rising due to forces beyond our control, this legislation ensures we have the tools, data, and innovation needed to unlock that potential and deliver reliable, baseload, homegrown energy for generations.”
“As the United States looks to produce enough energy to meet our rising demand, we must include next-generation geothermal as one way we can reliably and efficiently generate electric power,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Right now, Congress can proactively and thoughtfully push for the research and development of the necessary infrastructure to produce cutting edge, commercial-ready geothermal energy. In an-all-above approach to energy, it’s a piece of the puzzle that will help lower energy costs and power our future.”
The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act would establish Research and Development (R&D) Programs at the Department of Energy (DOE). These programs would ensure that existing programs are also available for the testing of these next-generation technologies, enhance the collaboration between DOE and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to locate ideal conditions for next-general geothermal energy production, and expand public-private partnerships by establishing a Next-Generation Geothermal Center of Excellence to advance enhanced geothermal energy technologies, including supercritical geothermal energy production.
Additionally, this legislation would:
- Establish a new Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) site for the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of superhot geothermal technologies;
- Require a tech-neutral approach for the RD&D of all next-generation geothermal energy technologies;
- Require the creation of a public DOE data repository, which would standardize data collection and storage, enhance accessibility, and help map regional resources;
- Create a Commercial Readiness Innovation Grants Program to accelerate the development, testing, and implementation of innovative technologies for commercial purposes;
- Establish a Surface Facility Innovation Grants Program to uncover cost-cutting measures for next-generation geothermal technologies and facility designs;
- Reauthorize and extend key geothermal provisions from the Energy Act of 2020; and
- Require progress reports to Congress on the above programs, as well as USGS geothermal resource assessments.
This legislation is endorsed by the Clean Air Task Force, ClearPath Action, Climate Innovation Action, Eavor, Fervo Energy, Geothermal Rising Action, National Wildlife Federation, and the World Resources Institute.
Additional Statements of Support:
“The U.S. is at the forefront of geothermal energy innovation, and this bill has the potential to strengthen global leadership, boost competitiveness, and accelerate the next generation of clean firm technologies. This nation has vast, underutilized next-generation geothermal and superhot rock potential. This bipartisan bill has important components – R&D programs, improved data collection and better learning and information sharing – that align with CATF’s recommendations for unlocking that potential,” said Terra Rogers, Director for Superhot Rock Energy at the Clean Air Task Force.
“America’s subsurface holds enormous energy potential that new geothermal technologies are beginning to unlock. The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act will accelerate innovation to advance superhot rock geothermal nationwide. Continued progress in supercritical geothermal R&D, including deep drilling and subsurface mapping, can expand reliable energy production, strengthen U.S. energy security, and reinforce American leadership in advanced clean energy technologies,” said Jeremy Harrell, CEO of ClearPath Action.
“Next-generation geothermal technologies, including enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop geothermal systems, and both in superhot conditions, have the potential to unlock vast new sources of reliable, clean energy. The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act would build on existing authorities to help ensure that emerging and innovative technologies receive the support they need to advance. Advocates for Climate Innovation thanks Senators Cortez Masto and Murkowski for their leadership in developing this important legislation,” said Roger Ullman, Executive Director of Climate Innovation Action.
“The Next-Generation Geothermal R&D Act offers an urgent and pragmatic approach to advancing next-generation geothermal technologies, from research and development to commercialization. Eavor thanks Sen. Cortez Masto and Sen. Murkowski for introducing this important legislation,” said Neil Ethier, Vice President of Commercial and Business Development at Eavor.
“Fervo Energy applauds Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Murkowski for their bipartisan leadership in advancing geothermal research and development. By prioritizing commercial-readiness innovations in drilling, reservoir design, data analytics, and surface facilities, this legislation targets key barriers to rapidly scaling next-generation geothermal,” said Ben Serrurier, Director of Government Affairs and Policy at Fervo Energy.
“The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act recognizes what the industry has been saying for years: the path to tens of gigawatts of new geothermal capacity runs through more than one technology. Directing DOE research and development support across enhanced geothermal, closed-loop, and supercritical systems — and standing up the infrastructure to test and commercialize all of them — will ensure that no viable pathway to scale is left on the shelf. That's exactly the signal private capital needs,” said Caity Smith, President of Geothermal Rising Action.
“The National Wildlife Federation recognizes that next-generation geothermal energy has substantial potential to provide reliable and affordable clean energy, ensuring a future where wildlife and people can thrive. The introduction of the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act by Senators Cortez Masto and Murkowski will support the growth and innovation of the sector by providing pathways for milestone-based projects, collaborations between the public and private sectors, and technological advancement while exploring next-gen potential across the United States,” said Shannon Heyck-Williams, Associate Vice President of Climate and Energy at the National Wildlife Federation.
“As the U.S. looks to address rising electricity demand, next-generation geothermal is an imperative piece of the solution set. Geothermal can provide clean, reliable energy around the clock. This bill would significantly boost U.S. leadership on this modern energy source by providing targeted investments to test and commercialize the next-generation of geothermal technologies. We urge lawmakers to pass this Act and scale up innovative geothermal systems,” said Christina DeConcini, Director of Government Affairs at the World Resources Institute.
