Hot Rock Act
Sponsored By: Representative Auchincloss
Introduced
Summary
Advance hot dry rock geothermal energy by creating a federal program of research, testing, workforce training, and permitting help to develop engineered deep geothermal systems. It defines superhot and supercritical resources and sets funding, milestone grants, and a Frontier testing site to push next‑generation geothermal technology.
Show full summary
- Researchers and developers: Provides R&D, demonstration, and milestone grants for National Labs, universities, and private firms. It authorizes $40.0 million per year for a Frontier Observatory and $30.0 million per year for milestone grants.
- Workers and communities: Creates cross‑training, classroom and apprenticeship placements with emphasis on oil and gas workers and energy communities. It authorizes $10.0 million per year for the workforce program.
- Federal oversight and risk monitoring: Directs the U.S. Geological Survey to map deep basement rock, study seismicity, and monitor groundwater, and gives BLM and Forest Service extra technical help and expanded exploration authorization. The bill authorizes $5.0 million per year for USGS risk research and $10.0 million per year for an expert permit assistance program.
*Would authorize about $127.0 million per year from 2027–2031 (about $635.0 million total), which would increase federal spending if appropriated.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Geothermal workforce training program
If enacted, the Labor Department would set up a geothermal retraining program with at least two colleges. You would need to be a U.S. citizen or green card holder and work for or contract with a U.S.-headquartered employer to be eligible. Trainees must have prior oil and gas or specified technician experience. The program would get $10,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Federal funding for hot rock R&D
If enacted, the Energy Department would fund multiple programs to speed development of deep, high‑temperature geothermal. The programs would pay for field test sites, high‑temperature equipment and staffing, systems R&D, milestone grants, and technical help for land‑management offices. Eligible recipients would include national labs, colleges, and private U.S. entities. The bill would authorize recurring amounts each year for FY2027–2031, including $40 million for field sites and $30 million for milestone grants, plus other $16M and $10M annual authorizations.
USGS mapping and monitoring program
If enacted, the U.S. Geological Survey would start research on seismicity and rock mechanics, map deep basement rock across states and territories, and set up groundwater monitoring for hot dry rock testing. The program would have to begin within 180 days after enactment. It would get $5,000,000 per year for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031.
Definitions and faster geothermal permitting
If enacted, the bill would add clear technical definitions, including "superhot" (about 300°C) and "supercritical" (375°C or higher), and define eligible entities like labs and universities. The bill would also add geothermal exploration and confirmation to an existing categorical exclusion used for oil and gas. That change could make some reviews faster for developers and change how communities are included in environmental review.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Auchincloss
MA • D
Cosponsors
Amodei (NV)
NV • R
Sponsored 2/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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