Pacific POWER Act seeks to cement U.S. position as global leader in geothermal energy
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, cosponsored the Pacific Promotion of Workable Energy Resources (POWER) Act, bipartisan legislation to promote geothermal exploration and production in the Indo-Pacific by leveraging the United States’ expertise as the world leader in geothermal electricity generation capacity. The bill was introduced by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) and is also cosponsored by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE).
“America’s energy leadership is one of our greatest strategic advantages, and this legislation helps ensure we remain energy dominant in the Indo-Pacific for decades to come,” said Senator Curtis. “By advancing geothermal innovation and strengthening partnerships with our allies, we can bolster energy security, reduce dependence on adversarial supply chains, and create new economic opportunities here at home.”
“With energy demand rising and countries experiencing shortages, we have an opportunity to extend our leadership in geothermal energy and help our allies and partners become more energy secure,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill will harness the expertise, capabilities, and financial tools of the U.S. public and private sectors to promote geothermal research and deployment in the Indo-Pacific in ways that support our economic interests and national security.”
“America has an opportunity to lead the world in the next generation of energy, and geothermal energy can play a major role in that future,” said Senator McCormick. “The Pacific POWER Act will help expand American energy technology and expertise in the Indo-Pacific, strengthen our partnerships abroad, and support more secure energy supply chains. At a time when China is working to expand its influence in the region, this bill helps ensure America remains at the forefront.”
Background:
Geothermal energy has the potential to meet a significant portion of the growth in electricity demand globally over the next few decades. But geothermal development is lagging globally because of challenges including high exploration costs and the need for stronger policy and supply chains. The United States, as the global leader in geothermal electricity generation, has the resources, expertise, and commercial capabilities necessary to help allies and partners develop geothermal capacity and become more energy secure in ways that also benefit U.S. security and economic businesses.
The Pacific POWER Act:
- Establishes a new geothermal program at the U.S. Department of State, tasked with working bilaterally and multilaterally to develop goals for geothermal deployment;
- Directs relevant agencies to assess global geothermal resources, determine areas of highest potential that benefit U.S. security and economic interests, strengthen geothermal supply chains, and develop financial tools to help advance geothermal projects; and
- Requires the Department of State to create public-private partnerships for geothermal research, exploration, and production in at least five countries, three of which must be in the Indo-Pacific.
The Pacific POWER Act is supported by Geothermal Rising Action, the Enhanced Geothermal Systems Deployment Coalition, Fervo Energy, Sage Geosystems, Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals, Quaise Energy, ClearPath Action, the Clean Air Task Force, the World Resources Institute, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Climate Innovation Action, the National Wildlife Federation, and Bipartisan Policy Center Action.
The text of the legislation can be found here.
“The United States leads the world in geothermal energy and technologies. The Pacific POWER Act puts that advantage to work, and enhances it. Our allies in the Indo-Pacific are energy-vulnerable, and if we don’t fill that gap, someone else will. This bill isn’t just about international development. American industry will be servicing these projects in partner nations where demand is surging, creating value abroad and at home while enhancing our geopolitical positioning and supply chain resilience. This is how American energy leadership bolsters our economy and foreign policy,” said Caity Smith, President, Geothermal Rising Action.
“EGS DC applauds Senators Schatz and McCormick for introducing the Pacific POWER Act and for its focus on strengthening U.S. leadership in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The U.S. has a strong competitive advantage, with leading exploration and production technologies, established supply chains, a skilled workforce, and significant resource potential for EGS development. This bill helps ensure the U.S. maintains that lead as global demand grows by establishing a forward-looking energy security framework that strengthens U.S.-led coordination of EGS deployment with strategic allies across the Indo-Pacific and supports partner countries in developing clean, firm baseload power to diversify their energy mix. EGS DC looks forward to working with Senators Schatz and McCormick to advance this legislation as part of an international energy security strategy that underscores the growing role of EGS,” said Brooke Baum, Devon Energy, Founding Member of the Enhanced Geothermal Systems Deployment Coalition (EGS DC).
“Fervo Energy thanks Senator Schatz and Senator McCormick for their leadership on the Pacific POWER Act and fully supports this legislation. The United States has led the world in developing and commercializing next-generation geothermal technology, and this bill creates a vital pathway to bring that expertise to the Indo-Pacific and unlock geothermal’s potential across the region. We look forward to working with both Senators to advance the bill through Congress,” said Sarah Jewett, Senior Vice President for Strategy, Fervo Energy.
“American geothermal leadership is built here at home, and it can be a key pillar of our international partnerships and efforts to create a more secure global energy system. The Pacific POWER Act advances that goal by leveraging America’s competitive advantage in geothermal innovation to support our allies, open markets overseas, and strengthen American industry. Zanskar thanks Senators Schatz and McCormick for their bipartisan leadership in bringing this bill forward,” said Ben Brenner, Head of Federal Affairs, Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals.
“Geothermal energy is a strategic asset that can deliver clean, reliable power to strengthen energy security and reduce global energy emissions. America has a unique edge in enhanced geothermal systems thanks to the engineering talent, drilling experience and subsurface expertise built over decades in the U.S. oil and gas industry. The Pacific POWER Act can help unlock major global commercial opportunities for innovative American geothermal companies, supporting exports, creating jobs, and reinforcing U.S. leadership in the energy technologies that will shape the future,” said Jeremy Harrell, CEO, ClearPath Action.
“The western U.S. and Asia-Pacific are home to world-leading geothermal resources, but accessing those resources at their full potential will require international and multilateral effort. The Pacific POWER Act supports U.S. collaboration with allies and partners across the Pacific to explore and map geothermal resources, advance research and innovation, and develop geothermal projects. It represents an exciting step forward on global geothermal capacity and deployment,” said Terra Rogers, Senior Director, Superhot Rock Geothermal, Clean Air Task Force.
“Geothermal is a critical technology for meeting growing energy demand both domestically and globally. The Pacific POWER Act, introduced by Sens. Schatz (D-HI) and McCormick (R-PA), gives the United States a tool to strengthen energy security among our Indo-Pacific allies while creating economic opportunities for American businesses,” said Michele Stockwell, President, Bipartisan Policy Center Action.
“The American economy is and will continue to be defined by our ability to innovate. This is especially true in the energy sector, where an extraordinary opportunity has emerged to power a dynamic and rapidly growing global economy. U.S. companies are well-positioned to capitalize on this moment, with next-generation geothermal technologies at the forefront of a growing global energy sector. Congress has an opportunity to support American global technological leadership by accelerating the development and export of this potentially transformative technology. C2ES congratulates Senators Schatz and McCormick for introducing the Pacific POWER Act, which aims to expand these opportunities while supporting the energy resilience of our Pacific allies. We look forward to working with Congress to support the innovators working to realize the enormous potential of the American geothermal industry,” said Brad Townsend, Vice President, Policy and Outreach, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
“Geothermal provides needed sources of clean heat and electricity, and recent technological advances hold the promise to increase the potential and reach of these resources. WRI is pleased to support this act which strengthens regional partnerships to identify and responsibly develop geothermal resources in the Indo-Pacific, increasing access to these vital energy resources,” said Christina DeConcini, Esq., Director of Government Affairs, World Resources Institute.
“Climate Innovation Action is thrilled to see the introduction of the Pacific POWER Act, which would bolster U.S. leadership and collaboration on geothermal on the global stage. Geothermal technologies, especially next-generation technologies, have the potential to provide 24/7 clean energy across the globe, and we commend Sens. Schatz and McCormick for recognizing the international importance of this resource,” said Roger Ullman, Executive Director, Climate Innovation Action.
“Quaise Energy endorses the Pacific POWER Act for putting superhot, next‑generation geothermal at the center of U.S. energy diplomacy, unlocking the partnerships and market pathways American innovators need to scale geothermal from a decimal point to the dominant energy source worldwide,” said Carlos Araque, CEO & President, Quaise Energy.
“The introduction of the Pacific POWER Act is a meaningful step toward strengthening U.S. energy competitiveness and positioning the United States as a global leader in next-generation geothermal. This technology is poised to play a critical role in delivering affordable, reliable, and firm power at scale. Continued partnership and collaboration to invest in, develop, and scale next-generation geothermal will be essential to building on this momentum. Geothermal is a critical tool to support energy security objectives, meet rising demand, and power sustained economic growth. We appreciate Senator Schatz and Senator McCormick’s leadership in advancing this important resource,” said Cindy Taff, CEO, Sage Geosystems.