Geo POWER Act
Sponsored By: Senator John Hickenlooper
Introduced
Summary
Milestone-Based Geothermal Demonstration Program would use milestone-based financing to speed deployment of geothermal in low-permeability and impermeable reservoirs and to lower upfront exploration and drilling risk.
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- Project developers and sponsors: Would be eligible for competitive "innovative financing" tied to technical and financial milestones, with awards required across at least 3 different States and at least 3 different sponsors.
- Communities and tribal lands: Prioritizes projects in regions with limited or no geothermal generation, including on or near Indian land, and supports projects that reach or enable commercial-scale capacity of 30 megawatts.
- Private investors and future projects: Requires public data collection to de-risk new geologies and technologies and aims to attract significant private investment while DOE staffs and runs the program under existing Energy Act authority.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Milestone geothermal financing for developers
If enacted, the bill would require the Energy Secretary to set up a Milestone‑Based Geothermal Demonstration Program within 180 days. The program would give "innovative financing" to geothermal projects in low‑permeability and impermeable reservoirs through competitive, milestone‑based awards. It would prioritize areas with little or no geothermal power (including on or near Indian land), projects that collect and share data, projects aiming for at least 30 megawatts, and projects likely to attract private investment. The Secretary would have to fund at least 3 proposals in at least 3 States from at least 3 different sponsors, keep enough staff to run the program, and carry out awards as milestone demonstration projects. The bill would also authorize "such sums as are necessary" to carry out these program parts and would define "innovative financing" to include tools the Secretary can use under existing DOE authorities.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov