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House of Representatives

Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act

2026-07-20 Issue 118 Showing 1–5 of 5

Official Congressional Record ↗

Brian Babin

Republican

“I want to pass this bill so the government can spend money on geothermal research. I think it will help our country be more independent and secure.”

Brian Babin

Republican

“I want five days for everyone to talk more about this bill. I want people to add more comments about geothermal research.”

Brian Babin

Republican

“I want taxpayers to spend on geothermal research. I'm happy the government is funding a program I like. I thank my colleagues for this bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8790, the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, sponsored by my colleagues, Representatives Harrigan and Salinas. This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to include novel geothermal approaches and directs the Department of Energy to support these baseload energy-producing technologies. Thanks to breakthroughs in drilling methods pioneered by the oil-and- gas sector, we can now drill deeper and increase rock permeability. As a result, regions of the United States that were once unable to support baseload geothermal electricity generation are now viable for power production. This comes at an important time as we race to connect baseload energy to the grid to ensure that we have both reliable power and the grid stability needed to support continued economic growth and technological advancement. The bill directs the Department of Energy to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of the Interior to facilitate the sharing of geothermal data and to improve understanding of the subsurface. This legislation also provides a critical update to the Department of the Interior's drilling data repository by including additional data sources, periodic updates, and standardized data to enhance its overall functionality and usability. Curating data from public lands gives the government, academia, and industry a better understanding of the subsurface and the resources beneath our feet. This bill also builds upon the success of the Department of Energy's Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy, or FORGE, by requiring next-generation geothermal testing at one or more additional FORGE sites, if deemed necessary by the Department of Energy. Research conducted at FORGE has provided clear evidence that, through innovative drilling, next-generation geothermal systems can be used to generate power. The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act authorizes the Department of Energy to foster this emerging industry by awarding grants to accelerate the development, testing, and implementation of innovative technologies that improve the performance of next-generation geothermal energy projects. Madam Speaker, I will express my appreciation for the work of Representatives Harrigan and Salinas on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Pat Harrigan

Republican 5:30 p.m.

“You should support this bill. Geothermal energy is good. It can make a lot of electricity. The government should spend money to make it work better. The government should not choose what energy is best. The private sector needs help. This bill will make energy cheaper and help families. Our country will not need energy from bad countries. I want my colleagues to support this bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Madam Speaker, when Americans think about energy, they usually think about things that we can see: oil fields, natural gas pipelines, nuclear power plants, wind farms. One of the greatest energy opportunities in our country isn't aboveground. It is beneath our feet. That is why I am proud to rise in support of my Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, legislation I am leading with Congresswoman Salinas. America has an extraordinary opportunity to unlock a new source of reliable, around-the-clock power. A single supercritical geothermal well has the potential to produce more than seven times the energy of a conventional geothermal well. Experts estimate next-generation geothermal could ultimately provide up to 90 gigawatts of electricity right here at home. The problem is not that our country lacks the resources, but we lack the technology to fully unlock it. This bill helps close that gap. It directs the Department of Energy to tackle the engineering challenges that still stand in the way of commercialization, expands real-world testing, and strengthens the partnerships between our national labs, universities, and private industry that have always driven American innovation. This is exactly what the government should be doing, not picking winners and losers, but helping solve the kinds of technical challenges the private sector can't solve alone. Reliable baseload power is no longer a luxury. As AI transforms our economy, manufacturing returns to America, and electricity demand continues to grow, we need to be investing in the technologies that will power the next generation. More reliable American energy means lower costs for hardworking families, a stronger electric grid, and less dependence on foreign adversaries. This bill does exactly that. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Salinas for her partnership, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act.

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Brian Babin

Republican 5:30 p.m.

“We need more energy. Geothermal energy can help. This bill will spend money on research and development for geothermal technologies. America will lead in this industry. I like this bill. It is bipartisan. You should vote yes.”

Official Congressional Record

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Madam Speaker, the need for the United States to increase reliable baseload energy is very clear. To help meet this demand, the House has recently passed multiple bills to accelerate the development of geothermal energy. This legislation builds on those efforts and will help geothermal play an even greater role in meeting our Nation's energy needs. H.R. 8790 authorizes and directs the Department of Energy to support the research and development of next-generation geothermal technologies, helping ensure that American leadership in this emerging industry remains number one. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Harrigan for his leadership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this simple bipartisan measure. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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