The House Science, Space and Technology Committee approved legislation Tuesday to accelerate the commercialization of new geothermal projects around the country.
The Geo POWER Act, H.R. 8437, sponsored by Reps. Nick Begich (R-Alaska) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.), would require the Department of Energy to support at least three geothermal demonstration projects — initiatives that test ventures before broader rollouts — with innovative financing.
DOE would be directed to prioritize developments in regions that have limited or no geothermal technologies, and the committee adopted an amendment Tuesday by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) to also prioritize sites where the department has previously supported enhanced geothermal systems.
Geothermal technology has emerged as a top bipartisan priority to meet growing energy demand this Congress. A slew of geothermal bills have already cleared the chamber, most recently Monday when a geothermal research bill passed under suspension of the rules.
