Geothermal Isn't Expensive: The Reservoir Always Has the Final Say Somewhere beneath a volcanic ridge, a drill bit is turning through rock that has not moved in two million years. It costs money every second it turns. And nobody on the surface — not the engineer, not the financier, not the minister who announced the megawatts — knows yet whether that well will produce steam or silence. That single moment explains almost everything people get wrong about geothermal energy. Geothermal is routinely described as expensive, slow, capital-hungry and haunted by drilling risk. Investors are reminded that tens of millions can disappear underground before a single megawatt reaches a grid. All of that is true. But it is not the whole truth. The uncomfortable question the industry keeps avoiding is this: is geothermal expensive, or is the way we develop geothermal making it expensive? Those are two completely different problems. One is geology. The other is us. Why Geothermal Refuses to Be...
Unlocking America’s Hidden Power: Congressman Fulcher’s Bold Push for Geothermal Energy and Lower Energy Costs
Congressman Russ Fulcher Introduces Landmark Bill to Unlock Geothermal Energy and Lower Costs Across the U.S.
By: Robert Buluma
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 25, 2025 – U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) has reintroduced a pivotal piece of legislation designed to accelerate geothermal energy development in the United States. The bill, H.R. 5576 – the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act, aims to streamline the permitting and exploration process for geothermal projects, placing geothermal energy on par with oil and gas exploration on public lands.
As energy demand in the United States surges, driven by rapid technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and high-capacity data centers, the need for reliable and clean baseload energy has never been more critical. Geothermal energy, a stable and renewable resource, offers a significant solution, yet its development has long been hampered by federal regulations and lengthy permitting processes. H.R. 5576 seeks to change that.
Idaho’s Legacy in Geothermal Energy
Idaho is not new to geothermal energy. The state has been harnessing this natural resource for over a century, leveraging its abundant underground heat to power communities, industry, and agriculture. Congressman Fulcher emphasized Idaho’s pioneering role in his statement:
“Idaho has been a pioneer in harnessing the power of geothermal energy for over a century. This clean, abundant resource has the potential to help meet the United States’ power demand, which is increasing at a historic rate due in part to AI and other technological advancements. However, current excessive federal government regulation is hindering the exploration and development of geothermal. This bill streamlines that process, reducing unnecessary barriers and unlocking new opportunities to develop clean, reliable energy in the Gem State and across the West, helping to lower prices for consumers.”
By modernizing and streamlining geothermal development policies, H.R. 5576 seeks to replicate Idaho’s success on a national scale, particularly in the western United States, where geothermal resources are abundant.
Bipartisan Support and National Energy Goals
The bill has garnered bipartisan support, signaling a shared recognition of geothermal energy’s potential. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman highlighted the importance of expanding baseload energy resources:
“America is in need of more energy resources to meet our exponentially growing demand. H.R. 5576 will help to streamline the exploration of geothermal resources on Federal lands, a valuable source of baseload energy. I applaud Rep. Fulcher for his commitment to America’s energy prosperity.”
Utah Congressman Mike Kennedy, a co-sponsor of the legislation, also emphasized the strategic benefits:
“I am pleased to co-sponsor Congressman Fulcher’s Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act. Unlocking geothermal energy to meet the rising needs of the Intermountain West will put America on track to be the world’s number one energy producer.”
This bipartisan backing underscores the recognition that geothermal energy is not just an environmental solution but also a strategic economic and energy security opportunity.
The Current Challenges in Geothermal Development
Despite its potential, geothermal energy development faces significant hurdles. Approximately 90% of the nation’s viable geothermal resources are located on federally managed lands, meaning projects must navigate the often lengthy and complex National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process.
Currently, most geothermal exploration wells require an Environmental Assessment (EA) before drilling can begin. This process can take up to 10 months, effectively delaying exploration and deterring investment in a sector that demands high upfront capital. For companies considering geothermal development, this waiting period introduces significant financial risk, particularly given the uncertainty of discovering commercially viable resources.
H.R. 5576 addresses these challenges directly by:
1. Creating a limited categorical exclusion for geothermal exploration activities on federal lands, allowing companies to reduce upfront risk and accelerate development.
2. Aligning geothermal exclusions with those currently available to oil and gas exploration wells, ensuring equitable treatment across energy sectors.
3. Mandating the Secretary of the Interior to identify priority areas for geothermal development on federal lands within three years of the bill’s enactment, providing clear guidance and investment certainty for the industry.
Unlocking Geothermal’s Potential
Geothermal energy has multiple advantages that make it a critical component of America’s clean energy future:
Reliable Baseload Power: Unlike solar or wind, geothermal provides a continuous and stable energy supply, making it ideal for meeting constant electricity demand.
Low Carbon Emissions: Geothermal plants emit far fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuel-based power plants, supporting the United States’ climate goals.
Economic Opportunities: Development of geothermal resources creates high-paying jobs in drilling, construction, engineering, and operations. By unlocking federal lands for exploration, H.R. 5576 could stimulate local economies across the western states.
Energy Independence: By diversifying the energy mix with domestic geothermal resources, the U.S. can reduce reliance on imported fuels, enhancing national security.
Currently, geothermal accounts for only a small fraction of the U.S. energy mix despite vast untapped potential. By leveling the playing field with oil and gas, H.R. 5576 could spark a new era of geothermal innovation and investment.
Industry Insights
Experts in the geothermal sector have long argued that regulatory uncertainty has slowed the adoption of this resource. With major technological advancements such as enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and supercritical geothermal wells, the industry is poised for rapid growth—but only if policy barriers are reduced.
Companies are eager to invest in geothermal projects, but the long permitting timelines and environmental reviews on federal lands have often made the economics of geothermal development challenging. By introducing categorical exclusions and prioritizing lands for geothermal development, H.R. 5576 is designed to reduce financial risk and accelerate the commercialization of these projects.
The Path Forward
If passed, H.R. 5576 could become a transformative piece of legislation for the U.S. energy landscape. By streamlining permitting, clarifying priority areas, and leveling the regulatory playing field, the bill aims to unlock the potential of a resource that is reliable, clean, and increasingly essential in a technology-driven economy.
Geothermal energy could become a cornerstone of U.S. energy strategy, complementing solar, wind, and nuclear power, while providing a critical baseload component that ensures grid stability and resilience. As energy demand continues to grow, particularly in the West, unlocking geothermal resources is both an economic and environmental imperative.
Conclusion
Congressman Russ Fulcher’s H.R. 5576 represents more than a legislative proposal—it signals a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and energy independence. By reducing barriers to geothermal development, the bill paves the way for cleaner energy, lower costs for consumers, and new opportunities for economic growth in federal land-rich states.
The success of this legislation could redefine the future of renewable energy in the United States, proving that geothermal power is not just a niche resource but a vital part of the nation’s energy mix.
Source:Fulcher House Gov
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