The House approved legislation Monday to accelerate the research and commercialization of next-generation geothermal energy systems.
The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, H.R. 8790, sponsored by Reps. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) and Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), passed by voice vote under suspension of the rules, a process that streamlines consideration of legislation with broad support.
Earlier this year, the proposal passed the House Science, Space and Technology Committee with an amendment to fortify “supercritical” geothermal wells that can produce more energy than other wells despite inherent risks.
Experts estimate that geothermal could in the future provide up to 90 gigawatts of energy in the U.S. A single supercritical geothermal well has the potential to produce more than seven times the energy of a conventional geothermal well, Harrigan said Monday during debate.
