Hot Rock Act

This bill establishes programs and requirements to advance the production of geothermal energy in the United States, focusing on hot dry rock and next-generation geothermal systems. It authorizes research, testing, development, demonstration, workforce training, and federal permitting support for these technologies.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines key terms including geothermal energy, geothermal reservoir, hot dry rock, hot dry rock geothermal project, next-generation geothermal system, supercritical geothermal resource (at or above 375°C), and superhot geothermal resource (between 300°C and 374°C).

Sec. 3, Hot dry rock geothermal energy research, testing, development, and demonstration: Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish grant programs for high-temperature completions research, high-temperature sensing equipment, supercritical fluid properties research, and staffing. Also creates a frontier observatory and testing site program, a research and demonstration activities program, and a milestone-based development grant program. Authorizes appropriations totaling $16 million per year for grants, $40 million per year for the observatory, $16 million per year for research activities, and $30 million per year for milestone grants, all for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Sec. 4, Hot dry rock geothermal energy risk research and monitoring: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish programs to study seismicity and rock mechanics, map deep basement rocks, and monitor groundwater affected by hot dry rock testing. Authorizes $5 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Sec. 5, Workforce cross-training program: Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a workforce training program with at least two institutions of higher education to train individuals working in oil and gas or as technicians for geothermal energy jobs. Prioritizes participation by those in oil and gas roles. Authorizes $10 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Sec. 6, Strengthening federal authorization for hot dry rock geothermal projects: Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide technical assistance to the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service for federal authorizations of hot dry rock projects. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to include geothermal exploration under categorical exclusions. Authorizes $10 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.