The GEO POWER Act
S. 4116
S. 4116
3/17/2026
S. 4116 – The Geothermal Power Opportunity With Expanded Regions (Geo POWER) Act would create an innovative geothermal demonstration program within the U.S. Department of Energy, catalyzing next-generation geothermal technologies across the country.
Through the proposed “Milestone-Based Geothermal Demonstration Program,” innovative projects would be eligible to receive financial support, including insurance, debt, equity, grants and assurance for overage funding. Targeted federal financing provides necessary financial support that de-risks the technology, enabling commercial deployments and private-sector investment.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that next-generation geothermal technology has the potential to provide at least 90 gigawatts of electricity by 2050. As the U.S. sees unprecedented power growth, next-generation geothermal technologies provide a unique source of clean, firm and reliable energy.
While next-generation geothermal technologies are on the cusp of commercial scale adoption, up-front investment costs remain among the most capital-intensive in the energy sector, with drilling costs representing up to 80% of total costs. The proposed milestone-based geothermal program would help address this problem, accelerating further deployment of next-generation geothermal across the country.
Capitalizing on our domestic expertise in oil and gas drilling and subsurface exploration, geothermal development harnesses the best of American energy ingenuity and innovation. Next-generation technologies could unlock the ability to produce electricity from the Earth’s heat almost anywhere in the country, dramatically expanding domestic clean energy supply.
This bipartisan legislation will help ensure U.S. energy dominance through a targeted federal investment program, de-risking this emerging technology and encouraging private sector investment.
If enacted, the bill would create a Milestone-Based Geothermal Demonstration Program within the U.S. Department of Energy, ensuring next-generation technologies receive the financial support and resources necessary to spur their continued growth.
Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Alex Padilla (D-CA)
ClearPath Action, Fervo, XGS Energy, Quaise Energy, Geothermal Rising Action, The Enhanced Geothermal Systems Deployment Coalition, Eavor, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Clean Air Task Force, Clean Energy Buyers Association, Climate Innovation Action, National Wildlife Federation, Third Way, and the World Resources Institute