,i #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gefh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #ac1 #bjbf,mr4 ,auchincloss 7for himself and ,mr4 ,amodei of ,nevada7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,natural ,resources1 and ,education and ,workforce1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish programs and requirements related to the production of geothermal energy in the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,hot ,rock ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,geothermal energy ,the term geothermal energy has the meaning given such term in section #de7;c77#d7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7#b7 ,geothermal reservoir ,the term geothermal reservoir means an underground reservoir containing a geothermal resource or deposit1 whether the fluids in the reservoir are native to the reservoir or flow into or are injected into the reservoir4 7#c7 ,hot dry rock ,the term hot dry rock means a superhot geothermal resource or supercritical geothermal resources that exists within rocks that have little to no natural permeability4 7#d7 ,hot dry rock geothermal project ,the term hot dry rock geothermal project means the combined surface and subsurface facilities used to produce electricity or industrial heat from hot dry rock using a next-generation geothermal system4 7#e7 ,next-generation geothermal system ,the term next-generation geothermal system means a geothermal reservoir system that is engineered1 as opposed to occurring naturally4 7#f7 ,supercritical geothermal resource ,the term supercritical geothermal resource means a geothermal resource or deposit that-- 7,a7 consists of natural heat stored in rocks or in an aqueous liquid or vapor 7whether or not under pressure72 and 7,b7 exists at a temperature equal to or greater than #cge degrees ,celsius4 7#g7 ,superhot geothermal resource ,the term superhot geothermal resource means a geothermal resource or deposit that-- 7,a7 consists of natural heat stored in rocks or in an aqueous liquid or vapor 7whether or not under pressure72 and 7,b7 exists at a temperature-- 7i7 equal to #cjj degrees ,celsius or #cgd degrees ,celsius2 or 7ii7 between #cjj degrees ,celsius and #cgd degrees ,celsius4 #c4 ,hot dry rock geothermal energy research1 testing1 development1 and demonstration 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the programs in this section should-- 7#a7 effectively address the scientific and engineering challenges with regard to developing-- 7,a7 cost-competitive hot dry rock geothermal projects2 and 7,b7 the hot dry rock geothermal energy industry in the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 support the development of a pathway to producing hot dry rock geothermal energy on a commercial scale4 7b7 ,research grant programs 7#a7 ,high-temperature completions research1 testing1 and development ,the ,secretary shall establish a grant program to award amounts to eligible entities to research1 test1 and develop high-temperature completions1 including-- 7,a7 the research and testing of high-temperature water-rock casings1 cements1 stimulation tools1 and geochemistry2 and 7,b7 the testing and development of high-temperature casing and completions4 7#b7 ,high-temperature and high-pressure sensing equipment development ,the ,secretary shall establish a grant program to award amounts to eligible entities-- 7,a7 to develop high-temperature and high-pressure sensing equipment2 and 7,b7 to support the development of equipment that can be used for screening1 monitoring1 and characterizing the subsurface in an environment of extreme depths1 temperatures1 and pressures4 7#c7 ,supercritical fluid properties research and testing ,the ,secretary shall establish a grant program to award amounts to eligible entities to research and test the properties of supercritical fluids1 fluid flow1 fluid-rock interactions1 and fluid assurance characterization4 7#d7 ,hiring and staffing ,the ,secretary shall establish a program to increase staffing relevant to the grant programs established under paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 and to contract with scientists to assist with the research1 testing1 and technological development associated with the grant programs established under paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c74 7#e7 ,applications ,to be eligible for a grant under paragraph 7#a71 7#b71 or 7#c71 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application in such form1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the grant programs established under this subsection #af1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 7c7 ,frontier observatory and testing site for hot dry rock geothermal energy technology program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a program for eligible entities to construct a field research site-- 7,a7 to test1 experiment with1 and demonstrate hot dry rock geothermal projects1 including drilling completion1 reservoir creation1 flow testing1 and production characteristics2 and 7,b7 to provide an advanced and well-resourced facility with access to a site with required geology1 as determined by the ,secretary1 including lithology1 composition1 and temperature and depth gradients4 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this subsection #dj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 7d7 ,hot dry rock geothermal energy systems research1 development1 and demonstration activities 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a program to support research1 development1 and demonstration activities and facility operations of eligible entities to provide solutions to challenges to the establishment of a commercial hot dry rock geothermal project1 including the following3 7,a7 ,the technical feasibility of subsurface infrastructure for supercritical fluids4 7,b7 ,geothermal reservoir management and thermal drawdown research4 7,c7 ,advanced deep drilling methods1 which includes-- 7i7 researching1 developing1 and demonstrating energy-based drilling and novel drilling methods2 7ii7 researching thermal physical properties of rock at extreme temperatures and pressure conditions2 and 7iii7 researching the crustal stress and geomechanics for drilling performed during hot dry rock geothermal projects4 7,d7 ,proppant research for fracture systems in hot dry rock geothermal projects4 7,e7 ,wellbore integrity and construction4 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this subsection #af1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 7e7 ,milestone-,based development grant program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a grant program to award set amounts to eligible entities that demonstrate the achievement of a program milestone described in paragraph 7#b7 to support the development by such eligible entities of-- 7,a7 wells that reach supercritical temperatures2 7,b7 processes that bring supercritical fluids to the surface2 and 7,c7 techniques to harness geothermal energy4 7#b7 ,program milestone ,a program milestone includes the following activities conducted with the use of a covered technology as part of a hot dry rock geothermal project3 7,a7 ,drilling at different depths1 temperatures1 and pressures4 7,b7 ,geothermal reservoir creation4 7,c7 ,steam production 7to measure well flow over time74 7,d7 ,power production of increasing size4 7,e7 ,other supporting activities1 including-- 7i7 converting a coal plant to accept steam from a hot dry rock geothermal energy powerplant2 7ii7 energy-based drilling for accessing depths1 temperatures1 and pressures previously inaccessible with conventional drilling technology2 and 7iii7 stimulation for hot dry rock reservoir creation4 7#c7 ,applications ,to be eligible for a grant under this subsection1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application in such form1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#d7 ,covered technology defined ,in this subsection1 the term covered technology means-- 7,a7 a system for steerable drilling at temperatures and pressures relevant to geothermal energy production2 7,b7 a system for cost-effective and efficient thermoelectric conversion2 7,c7 a method for using working fluids other than water2 7,d7 a new method for casing wells1 applicable to geothermal energy production2 7,e7 a system for deep drilling1 including through basement rock2 7,f7 a method for geothermal reservoir creation in the brittle-ductile transition zone of the crust of the ,earth2 7,g7 a method for increasing the surface area or heat transfer rate of a next-generation geothermal system2 or 7,h7 any other technology determined necessary by the ,secretary for achieving a program milestone described in paragraph 7#b74 7#e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this subsection #cj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,national ,laboratory2 7,b7 an institution of higher education 7as such term is defined in section #ajb7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;a7772 or 7,c7 a private entity4 7#b7 ,proppant ,the term proppant means particles mixed with fluids designed to keep an induced fracture open after stimulation4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy1 acting through the ,geothermal ,technologies ,office of the ,department of ,energy4 #d4 ,hot dry rock geothermal energy risk research and monitoring 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall establish-- 7#a7 a research program to study the-- 7,a7 seismicity and rock mechanics in the brittle-ductile transition zone2 and 7,b7 thermal property of rocks1 including rock conductivity1 fluid heat capacity1 rock heat capacity1 specific heat capacity1 and seismicity1 with an emphasis on the characterization impact of hot dry rock geothermal energy2 7#b7 a program to map deep basement rocks within each of the several ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 and each territory and possession of the ,united ,states2 and 7#c7 a program to monitor the ground water of areas in the ,united ,states affected by the testing and demonstration of technologies used in the development of hot dry rock geothermal energy4 7b7 ,secretary defined ,in this section1 the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior1 acting through the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 #e4 ,workforce cross-training program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish and carry out a workforce training program under which the ,secretary shall enter into an agreement with at least #b institutions of higher education 7as such term is defined in section #ajb7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;a777 to train covered individuals to work in the geothermal energy industry4 7b7 ,program requirements ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall carry out the following activities3 7#a7 ,offer classroom education1 training1 and apprenticeship placements to covered individuals with respect to the following areas3 7,a7 ,geosciences4 7,b7 ,geophysics4 7,c7 ,computational sciences and engineering4 7,d7 ,geological engineering4 7,e7 ,mechanical engineering4 7,f7 ,process engineering4 7,g7 ,chemical engineering4 7,h7 ,petroleum engineering4 7,i7 ,drilling engineering4 7,j7 ,civil engineering4 7,k7 ,electrical engineering4 7#b7 ,encourage participation by covered individuals who are members of-- 7,a7 a union2 or 7,b7 an energy community4 7c7 ,prioritization ,the ,secretary shall prioritize the participation in the program established under subsection 7a7 of individuals who work in a role described in subsection 7d77#a77;,c74 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,covered individual ,the term covered individual means an individual who-- 7,a7 is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 is an employee of or works as an independent contractor for a company that is headquartered in the ,united ,states2 and 7,c7 works1 prior to or at the time of their enrollment in the program-- 7i7 in the oil and gas industry1 including as-- 7,i7 a mechanical engineer2 7,,ii7 a drilling engineer2 7,,iii7 a reservoir engineer2 7,,iv7 a petroleum engineer2 7,v7 an electrical engineer2 7,,vi7 an oil rig worker2 or 7,,vii7 a geoscientist2 or 7ii7 as a technician1 including as-- 7,i7 a welder2 7,,ii7 a machinist2 7,,iii7 a pipefitter2 or 7,,iv7 an electrician4 7#b7 ,energy community ,the term energy community has the meaning given the term in section #de7;b77#aa77;,b7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 #f4 ,strengthening ,federal authorization for hot dry rock geothermal projects 7a7 ,hot dry rock geothermal project expert program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,energy shall establish and carry out a program to provide to the regional and district offices of the ,bureau of ,land ,management and the ,forest ,service technical assistance with respect to ,federal authorizations for hot dry rock geothermal projects1 including research and development related to hot dry rock geothermal projects4 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,energy to carry out this subsection #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 7b7 ,categorical exclusion for exploration and confirmation of hot dry rock geothermal energy ,section #cij of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeidb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by inserting 1 or the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq47 for the purpose of exploration of geothermal resources after or gas2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking or gas and inserting 1 gas1 or geothermal2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking or gas and inserting 1 gas1 or geothermal4 7c7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,expert ,the term expert means an individual who works or has worked in the energy sector and has expertise in disciplines including-- 7,a7 drilling and completion1 including casing and well interventions2 7,b7 geothermal field operations2 7,c7 rock mechanics2 7,d7 geophysics2 7,e7 exploration technology2 or 7,f7 downhole technology1 including packers and wire line tools4 7#b7 ,federal authorization ,the term ,federal authorization-- 7,a7 means any authorization required under ,federal law with respect to an activity on the area of a lease issued under the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq472 and 7,b7 includes any authorization for siting1 drilling1 underground injection1 surface operations1 and generation of energy under such a lease4