What does Preamble of HR 7568 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To establish programs and requirements related to the production of geothermal energy in the United States, and for other purposes.' The bill aims to establish programs and requirements related to geothermal energy production within the United States.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 7568 do?

This bill is formally titled the Hot Rock Act.

What does DEFINITIONS. of HR 7568 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “Geothermal energy” is defined by reference to section 45(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. A “geothermal reservoir” is defined as an underground reservoir containing a geothermal resource or deposit. “Hot dry rock” refers to superhot or supercritical geothermal resources within rocks with little to no natural permeability. A “hot dry rock geothermal project” involves facilities used to produce electricity or industrial heat from hot dry rock using a next-generation geothermal system. A “next-generation geothermal system” is an engineered geothermal reservoir system. “Supercritical geothermal resource” is defined as a resource with a temperature equal to or greater than 375 degrees Celsius. “Superhot geothermal resource” is defined as a resource with a temperature equal to 300 degrees Celsius or 374 degrees Celsius, or between those temperatures.

What does HOT DRY ROCK GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RESEARCH, TESTING, DEVELOPMENT, of HR 7568 do?

This section establishes several grant programs and a field research site to support research, testing, development, and demonstration of hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal energy technology. The Secretary of Energy is directed to establish grant programs for high-temperature completions research, high-temperature and high-pressure sensing equipment development, and supercritical fluid properties research and testing. A Frontier Observatory and Testing Site for Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Energy Technology Program will be established to test and demonstrate HDR geothermal projects. The Secretary will also support research, development, and demonstration activities addressing challenges to establishing commercial HDR geothermal projects, including technical feasibility of subsurface infrastructure and geothermal reservoir management. A Milestone-Based Development Grant Program will award funds to eligible entities demonstrating achievement of specific program milestones related to HDR geothermal energy development. Eligible entities for these programs include National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, and private entities. Authorization of appropriations is provided for each of the grant programs and the field research site, totaling $16,000,000, $40,000,000, $16,000,000, and $30,000,000 respectively, for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

What does HOT DRY ROCK GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RISK RESEARCH AND MONITORING. of HR 7568 do?

This section establishes a research program to study seismicity and rock mechanics in the brittle-ductile transition zone. The research program also focuses on the thermal properties of rocks, including conductivity and heat capacity, with an emphasis on hot dry rock geothermal energy. A program is established to map deep basement rocks within each state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories and possessions. A program will monitor groundwater in areas affected by testing and demonstration of hot dry rock geothermal energy technologies. The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, is responsible for carrying out these programs. The section authorizes $5,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these activities.

What does WORKFORCE CROSS-TRAINING PROGRAM. of HR 7568 do?

This section establishes a workforce training program to train individuals for the geothermal energy industry. The Secretary of Labor will enter into agreements with at least two institutions of higher education to administer the program. The program will offer classroom education, training, and apprenticeship placements in areas such as geosciences, engineering, and related fields. Participation is encouraged for individuals who are members of a union or reside in an energy community. Priority will be given to individuals currently working in the oil and gas industry or as technicians. A 'covered individual' must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, employed by a U.S.-headquartered company, and previously worked in the oil and gas industry or as a technician. The term 'energy community' is defined by reference to section 45(b)(11)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The program is authorized to receive $10,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

What does STRENGTHENING FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR HOT DRY ROCK GEOTHERMAL of HR 7568 do?

This section establishes a program for the Secretary of Energy to provide technical assistance to the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service regarding Federal authorizations for hot dry rock geothermal projects. The program will assist with authorizations for research and development related to hot dry rock geothermal projects. There is authorization of appropriations of $10,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this program. Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended to include the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 for the purpose of exploration of geothermal resources under categorical exclusions. The definition of 'Federal authorization' includes authorizations for siting, drilling, underground injection, surface operations, and generation of energy under a lease issued under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. The term 'expert' is defined as an individual with expertise in disciplines such as drilling, geothermal field operations, rock mechanics, and geophysics.

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Hot Rock Act — HR. 7568

Last updated: 2/13/2026 · Introduced: 2/13/2026

Author: Jake Auchincloss (D-MA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill establishes grant programs to support research, testing, and development of hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal energy technology, including high-temperature completions, sensing equipment, and reservoir management.
It creates a Frontier Observatory and Testing Site for HDR geothermal energy technology to facilitate project testing and demonstration.
The bill directs research into seismicity, rock mechanics, and thermal properties related to HDR geothermal energy, and mandates mapping of deep basement rocks and groundwater monitoring in affected areas.
A workforce training program will be established to train individuals for the geothermal energy industry, prioritizing those from the oil and gas sector or residing in energy communities.
The bill provides technical assistance to the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to streamline federal authorizations for HDR geothermal projects and expands categorical exclusions under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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