Push for Geothermal Development on Federal Lands
The Wall Street Journal reports that a geothermal energy renaissance may be on the horizon, if Republican lawmakers get their way.
At a recent House Natural Resources Committee hearing in Cedar City, Utah, GOP representatives called for bold action to expand geothermal energy development on federal lands across the Southwest. Their goal: cut red tape, fast-track permits, and unlock a powerful, homegrown source of clean energy buried beneath our feet.
Geothermal energy, often described as “heat mining,” taps into underground reservoirs to generate electricity and heating. Unlike solar or wind, it doesn’t depend on the weather, and unlike oil or gas, it doesn’t rely on volatile foreign supply chains.
Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy of Utah introduced the Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act and co-sponsored the bipartisan STEAM Act to speed up exploration and development by mandating faster federal permitting timelines.
Industry leaders echoed the lawmakers’ call for reform, pointing to multi-year delays in current permit approvals.
Tim Latimer, CEO of Fervo Energy, argued that geothermal is both stable and cost-effective, projecting it could become the cheapest form of power in the coming years. Energy giants like Chevron and startups like Quaise Energy are also betting big on advanced geothermal technology, signaling a new chapter in U.S. energy development.
With bipartisan support and new drilling innovations emerging, geothermal energy might finally get the spotlight it deserves—and the momentum it needs to power America’s energy future.
Read more here.