Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act
Latest action · Jul 21, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Progress
Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.
- IntroducedMay 13, 2026
- Passed HouseJul 20, 2026
- Passed SenateNot reached
- To the PresidentNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
Summary
Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the development of next-generation geothermal systems, such as closed-loop geothermal systems in supercritical conditions. Specifically, the bill expands the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to modify and establish geothermal energy programs, such as programs concerning research and development, grants, and data management.
DOE must support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for next-generation geothermal systems. DOE may administer grants for carrying out certain focus areas of the program. DOE must also ensure that at least one Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) field research site has the capabilities to include next-generation geothermal testing.
Additionally, DOE must provide grants for (1) the continuation and expansion of research, development, demonstration, testing, and commercial application activities applicable to FORGE sites; and (2) the establishment of a next-generation geothermal systems center of excellence.
DOE must also provide grants to accelerate the development, testing, and implementation of innovative technologies to improve the commercial-readiness of geothermal energy projects using next-generation geothermal systems.
DOE must expand its repository of geothermal drilling information to include publicly available subsurface data, including data reported as part of fossil fuel and mining operations. DOE must also periodically update the repository to improve its functionality and usability.
The bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to commission the drilling of supercritical geothermal exploration boreholes in certain areas to provide control points for deep heat mapping and geothermal development.
Cosponsors 1
Members who signed on, in the order they did. All signed on May 13, 2026.
| Seat | Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-OR | Andrea Salinas | Original | May 13, 2026 |
Actions 17
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Jul 21, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Jul 20, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules.
- Jul 20, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4667-4670)
- Jul 20, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8790.
- Jul 20, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Energy.
Text 4
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- Jul 21, 2026Referred in Senate
- Jul 20, 2026Engrossed in House
- Jul 16, 2026Reported in House
- May 13, 2026Introduced in House
Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov.