Hot Rock Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7568

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-03-09T19:02:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Hot Rock Act" (H.R. 7568) aims to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of hot dry rock geothermal energy in the United States. This type of geothermal energy taps into very hot rocks deep underground (often dry, with little natural water flow) to generate electricity or industrial heat, using engineered systems. The bill seeks to overcome technical barriers, build a skilled workforce, and streamline federal approvals to make this clean energy source more viable and cost-competitive.

Key Provisions

The bill establishes multiple programs across federal agencies, with funding authorized from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Key elements include:

• Definitions (Section 2): Clarifies terms like "geothermal energy" (heat from the Earth, as defined in tax law), "hot dry rock" (superhot rocks with minimal permeability), "next-generation geothermal system" (engineered reservoirs, not natural ones), and "supercritical geothermal resource" (fluids or vapors at extremely high temperatures, 375°C or above).

• Research, Testing, Development, and Demonstration (Section 3): Managed by the Secretary of Energy through the Department of Energy's (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office.
• Grant programs for high-temperature drilling tools, sensing equipment, supercritical fluid research, and hiring experts (totaling $16 million annually).
• A "Frontier Observatory" field site for testing hot dry rock projects, including drilling and reservoir creation ($40 million annually).
• Broader R&D on reservoir management, advanced drilling, well integrity, and fracture systems ($16 million annually).
• Milestone-based grants for breakthroughs like reaching supercritical temperatures or producing power, rewarding progress in drilling, steam generation, and related technologies ($30 million annually).
• Eligible recipients: National labs, universities, or private companies.

• Risk Research and Monitoring (Section 4): Led by the Secretary of the Interior via the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
• Studies on earthquake risks (seismicity), rock properties in deep zones, national mapping of deep rocks, and groundwater monitoring near test sites ($5 million annually).

• Workforce Cross-Training Program (Section 5): Administered by the Secretary of Labor.
• Partnerships with at least two universities to train U.S. citizens or legal residents from the oil and gas sector (e.g., engineers, rig workers, technicians) for geothermal roles in fields like geosciences, engineering, and drilling.
• Prioritizes union members and those from "energy communities" (areas historically dependent on fossil fuels, as defined in tax law).
• Includes classroom training, apprenticeships, and placements ($10 million annually).

• Strengthening Federal Authorizations (Section 6):
• DOE provides technical experts to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service offices to speed up permits for hot dry rock projects on federal lands ($10 million annually).
• Expands expert support for drilling, operations, and geophysics.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to add geothermal exploration (under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970) to "categorical exclusions." These are streamlined environmental reviews that bypass full Environmental Impact Statements for low-impact activities like initial drilling or testing on federal lands. Previously, this applied mainly to oil and gas; now it includes geothermal to reduce permitting delays without full NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) processes.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities and funding for DOE (research and permitting support), USGS (mapping and monitoring), Department of Labor (training), BLM, and Forest Service (faster approvals). Could enhance inter-agency coordination for energy innovation.
• Citizens: Creates job opportunities by retraining fossil fuel workers, potentially benefiting rural "energy communities" with new geothermal-related employment in engineering, drilling, and operations. May lower energy costs long-term through expanded clean power.
• International Relations: Positions the U.S. as a leader in advanced geothermal technology, potentially boosting exports of expertise or equipment, but no direct foreign policy changes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: DOE, USGS, Department of Labor, BLM, and Forest Service.
• Industry and Research: Private energy companies, national laboratories (e.g., those under DOE), and universities involved in geothermal R&D.
• Workers and Communities: Oil and gas employees transitioning to renewables, unions, and residents of fossil fuel-dependent areas.
• Environmental and Land Users: Entities on or near federal lands, as streamlined permitting could accelerate projects but includes monitoring for risks like groundwater effects.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Streamlines permitting under existing laws like NEPA and the Geothermal Steam Act, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for renewables while maintaining safety oversight (e.g., seismicity studies). No new regulatory burdens on private lands.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over public lands and interstate commerce; promotes energy innovation without infringing on states' rights, though states may need to adapt local regulations for projects.
• Political: Supports U.S. clean energy goals by bridging fossil fuels and renewables, potentially aiding bipartisan appeal (sponsored by representatives from energy-producing states). Could influence debates on federal land use and the transition from oil/gas, emphasizing job creation over environmental trade-offs.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-02-13: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Hot Rock Act — issued 2026-02-13 — PDF (17 pages)