Geo POWER Act
Latest action (30 Sep 2026): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
What this bill does
The Geo POWER Act, if enacted, would establish a new program to provide financial support for next-generation geothermal electricity generation demonstration projects. This program would aim to accelerate the commercialization of geothermal technologies in new regions and diverse geological settings across the United States by helping to overcome high upfront costs for exploration and drilling. It would also aim to generate public data to reduce risks for future geothermal projects.
This bill primarily affects entities involved in developing geothermal energy projects, particularly those exploring or operating in areas with limited or no current geothermal electricity generation, including on or near Indian lands. The program would offer financial assistance based on the achievement of technical and financial milestones. Projects would need to have a potential generation capacity of at least 30 megawatts or advance innovations that enable such capacity, and demonstrate potential for significant private sector investment. The program also requires financing to be awarded to projects in at least three different states and from at least three different sponsors.
S. 4116 was introduced in the Senate on March 17, 2026. It has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which ordered it to be reported with an amendment on September 30, 2026. The next step in the legislative process would typically involve further consideration by the Senate and potentially the House of Representatives.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
The committees assigned to this bill sent it to the House or Senate as a whole for consideration on September 30, 2026.
Timeline
30 Sep 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 4116 do?
- The Geo POWER Act, if enacted, would establish a new program to provide financial support for next-generation geothermal electricity generation demonstration projects. This program would aim to accelerate the commercialization of geothermal technologies in new regions and diverse geological settings across the United States by helping to overcome high upfront costs for exploration and drilling. It would also aim to generate public data to reduce risks for future geothermal projects. This bill primarily affects entities involved in developing geothermal energy projects, particularly those exploring or operating in areas with limited or no current geothermal electricity generation, including on or near Indian lands. The program would offer financial assistance based on the achievement of technical and financial milestones. Projects would need to have a potential generation capacity of at least 30 megawatts or advance innovations that enable such capacity, and demonstrate potential for significant private sector investment. The program also requires financing to be awarded to projects in at least three different states and from at least three different sponsors. S. 4116 was introduced in the Senate on March 17, 2026. It has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which ordered it to be reported with an amendment on September 30, 2026. The next step in the legislative process would typically involve further consideration by the Senate and potentially the House of Representatives.
- Has S. 4116 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Sep 2026, S. 4116 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 4116?
- S. 4116 was sponsored by Sen. John Hickenlooper [D-CO] (Democrat-CO), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 4116?
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably. (30 Sep 2026).
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