By U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01)
Geothermal has the potential to be an energy powerhouse for America. This abundant, clean natural resource rests right beneath our feet, largely untapped across the nation, but not in Idaho.
Today, Boise is home to the largest municipally operated geothermal system in the country. This innovative network warms buildings across the area, including City Hall, the Treasure Valley YMCA, Boise State University, and residential homes through 20 miles of pipeline that span six million square feet. In fact, the next time you’re in the area, see if the building you are in has a plaque that reads “this building uses geothermal heat as an energy source.”
Idaho has been a pioneer in harnessing geothermal, demonstrating its ability to help power the Gem State. Geothermal also has the potential to help meet the United States’ rapidly increasing electricity demand—driven in part by AI and other technological advancements—while diversifying our energy portfolio. Ensuring America is ready to meet these growing needs through various power sources, such as geothermal, is essential to keeping prices low for consumers and strengthening our energy independence.
But what is geothermal?
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) describes geothermal as “heat energy from the earth—geo (earth) + thermal (heat).” The DOE continues by explaining how geothermal is harnessed and then utilized: “Geothermal resources are reservoirs of hot water that exist or are human-made at varying temperatures and depths below the earth’s surface. Wells ranging from a few feet to several miles deep can be drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam and very hot water that can be brought to the surface for use in a variety of applications.” This heat can then be used to generate electricity, to warm and cool buildings, to provide hot water to homes and businesses, and to produce heat for several industrial purposes.
In Congress, I have introduced and supported multiple pieces of legislation to make the exploration and development of this renewable resource easier by cutting federal government red tape and streamlining the permitting process.
My bill, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act, H.R. 1687, would amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to require annual lease sales for geothermal energy and ensure that the Secretary of the Interior hold replacement lease sales for any sales missed in a calendar year. Additionally, I have introduced H.R. 5576, the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act, which would bring geothermal to parity with oil and gas exploration on public lands. This legislation is particularly needed because 90 percent of viable geothermal resources are located on federally managed lands, meaning almost all geothermal projects are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. Currently, most geothermal exploration wells require an Environmental Assessment (EA) to be filed before exploration begins. This EA process for geothermal projects averages 10 months, meaning interested parties must wait nearly a year to determine if a viable geothermal resource even exists. H.R. 5576 would streamline that process, reducing unnecessary barriers and unlocking new opportunities to develop geothermal. I am very pleased to report that both of these measures have advanced out of the Committee on Natural Resources this Congress and are now ready for consideration on the House floor.
Idaho has already shown what’s possible with geothermal energy. Now it’s time to bring that same innovative vision nationwide. I will keep fighting in Washington, D.C., to ensure this reliable, clean, and abundant God-given resource is available to power our homes, support our businesses, and secure America’s energy future for generations to come.