Advanced Geothermal Innovation Leadership Act of 2019

To support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Advanced Geothermal Innovation Leadership Act of 2019 AGILE Act of 2019 2. Update to geothermal resource assessment Section 2501 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 ( 30 U.S.C. 1028 (1) by redesignating subsections (a) and (b) as subsections (b) and (d), respectively; (2) by inserting before subsection (b) (as so redesignated) the following: (a) Definition of enhanced geothermal systems In this section, the term enhanced geothermal systems 42 U.S.C. 17191 ; (3) by inserting after subsection (b) (as so redesignated) the following: (c) Update to geothermal resource assessment The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Geological Survey, and in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall update the United States geothermal resource assessment carried out by the United States Geological Survey, including by focusing on— (1) with respect to areas previously identified by the Department of Energy or the United States Geological Survey as having significant potential for hydrothermal energy or enhanced geothermal systems energy— (A) improving the resolution of resource potential at systematic temperatures and depths, including temperatures and depths appropriate for power generation and direct use applications; (B) quantifying the total potential to coproduce geothermal energy and minerals; (C) incorporating data relevant to underground thermal energy storage and exchange, such as aquifer and soil properties; and (D) producing high resolution maps, including— (i) maps that indicate key subsurface parameters for electric and direct use resources; and (ii) risk maps for induced seismicity based on geologic, geographic, and operational parameters; and (2) to the maximum extent practicable, expanding geothermal assessments, including enhanced geothermal systems assessments, to include assessments for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the States of Alaska and Hawaii. ; and (4) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated), by striking necesary necessary 3. General geothermal research and development programs Section 614 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17193 (d) Oil and gas technology transfer initiative (1) In general The Secretary shall support an initiative among the Office of Fossil Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the private sector to modify, improve, and demonstrate the use in geothermal energy development of relevant advanced technologies and operation techniques used in the oil and gas sector. (2) Priorities In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize technologies with the greatest potential to significantly increase the use and lower the cost of geothermal energy in the United States, including the cost and speed of geothermal drilling. (e) Secondary use subprogram (1) In general The Secretary shall support within the Geothermal Technologies Office a program of research, development, and demonstration in the secondary use of geothermal energy other than for electricity, direct use, or geothermal exchange heat pumps. (2) Program areas The program under paragraph (1) shall include the following areas: (A) Minerals recovery, including lithium, silica, and rare earth elements. (B) Geothermal-powered desalination. (C) Industrial applications of geothermal energy. (D) The use of geothermal energy as a grid management resource or seasonal energy storage. (E) Other cost competitive secondary uses of geothermal energy, as determined by the Secretary. (F) Systems that utilize a combination of the techniques and uses described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) with geothermal heat or power. (3) Coproduction of geothermal energy and minerals production prize competition (A) In general The Secretary shall carry out a prize competition under which the Secretary shall award prizes to demonstrate the coproduction of critical minerals (as defined by the Secretary of the Interior on the date of enactment of the AGILE Act of 2019 (B) Requirements A demonstration awarded a prize under subparagraph (A) shall— (i) improve the cost-effectiveness of removing minerals from geothermal brines as part of the coproduction process; (ii) increase recovery rates of the targeted mineral commodity; (iii) decrease water use and other environmental impacts, as determined by the Secretary; and (iv) demonstrate a path to commercial viability. (C) Maximum prize amount The maximum amount of a prize awarded under subparagraph (A) shall be $10,000,000. (D) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this paragraph $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023. . 4. Modifying the definition of renewable energy to include thermal energy (a) In general Section 203 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15852 (1) in subsection (b)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Qualified waste heat resource The term qualified waste heat resource (A) exhaust heat or flared gas from any industrial process; (B) waste gas or industrial tail gas that would otherwise be flared, incinerated, or vented; (C) a pressure drop in any gas as part of an industrial or commercial process; or (D) such other forms of waste heat as the Secretary determines appropriate. ; and (C) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking generated from produced from, or, in the case of thermal energy resulting from a thermal energy project placed in service after December 31, 2018, thermal energy generated from, or avoided by, (ii) by inserting qualified waste heat resource, or new (2) in subsection (c)— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking For purposes (1) In general For purposes ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (2) Separate calculation (A) In general For purposes of determining compliance with the requirement of this section, any energy consumption that is avoided through the use of renewable energy shall be considered to be renewable energy produced. (B) Denial of double benefit Avoided energy consumption that is considered to be renewable energy produced under subparagraph (A) shall not also be counted for purposes of achieving compliance with another Federal energy efficiency goal. . (b) Conforming amendment Section 2410q(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking section 203(b)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15852(b)(2) section 203(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15852(b) 5. Enhanced geothermal research and development (a) Definition of engineered Section 612(1) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17191(1) subjected to intervention, including intervention designed to access subsurface heat, including nonstimulation technologies, (b) Programs Section 615(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17194(b) (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking mapping and fracture mapping, including real-time modeling (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking and (C) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (K); and (D) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: (F) well placement and orientation; (G) long-term reservoir management; (H) drilling technologies, methods, and tools; (I) improved exploration tools; (J) zonal isolation; and ; and (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) Frontier observatories for research in geothermal energy (A) Program The Secretary shall support 2 field research sites operated by public or academic entities, which shall each be known as a Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy FORGE (B) Site selection Of the FORGE sites referred to in subparagraph (A)— (i) 1 shall be the existing research site in Milford, Utah; and (ii) 1 shall be selected by the Secretary through a competitive selection process. (C) Site duration The FORGE site selected under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall operate for an initial term of not more than 7 years after the date on which site preparation is complete. (D) Additional terms (i) In general At the end of an operational term described in clause (ii), a FORGE site may— (I) be transferred to the private sector for further enhanced geothermal testing; or (II) subject to appropriations and a merit review by the Secretary, operate for an additional term of not more than 7 years. (ii) Operational term described An operational term referred to in clause (i)— (I) in the case of the FORGE site designated under subparagraph (B)(i), is the existing operational term; and (II) in the case of the FORGE site selected under subparagraph (B)(ii), is the initial term under subparagraph (C) or an additional term under clause (i)(II). (3) Enhanced geothermal systems demonstrations (A) In general Beginning on the date of enactment of the AGILE Act of 2019 (B) Projects (i) In general Under the initiative described in subparagraph (A), not less than 4 demonstration projects shall be carried out in locations that are commercially viable for enhanced geothermal systems development, as determined by the Secretary. (ii) Requirements Demonstration projects under clause (i) shall— (I) collectively demonstrate— (aa) different geologic settings, such as hot sedimentary aquifers, layered geologic systems, supercritical systems, and basement rock systems; and (bb) a variety of development techniques, including open hole and cased hole completions, differing well orientations, and stimulation mechanisms; (II) to the extent practicable, use existing sites where subsurface characterization or geothermal energy integration analysis has been conducted; and (III) each be carried out in accordance with section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16352 (iii) Eastern demonstration Not less than 1 demonstration project under clause (i) shall be located in an area east of the Mississippi River that is suitable for enhanced geothermal demonstration for power, heat, or a combination of power and heat. (C) Optional program structure (i) In general The Secretary may, pursuant to section 646(g) of the Department of Energy Organization Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7256(g) (ii) Requirements If the Secretary elects to carry out clause (i), the Secretary shall— (I) request proposals from eligible entities, as determined by the Secretary, that include— (aa) a business plan; (bb) technical details; and (cc) proposed milestones and associated payments; and (II) select projects— (aa) based on the demonstrated ability of the eligible entity to meet the milestones and associated payments described in the proposal of that eligible entity; and (bb) that have the greatest potential commercial applicability. . 6. Authorization of appropriations Section 623 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17202 $90,000,000 $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. 7. Reauthorization of high cost region geothermal energy grant program Section 625 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17204 (1) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting or heat electrical power (2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. . 8. Program to improve Federal geothermal permit coordination (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Program The term Program (2) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Establishment of Program Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Geothermal Energy Permitting Coordination Program (c) Establishment of Program offices To carry out the Program, the Secretary shall establish one or more Program offices at State or district offices of the Department of the Interior. (d) Memorandum of understanding (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding for purposes of this section with— (A) the Secretary of Agriculture; (B) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and (C) the Secretary of Defense. (2) State participation The Secretary may request that the Governor of any State be a signatory to the memorandum of understanding under paragraph (1). (e) Designation of qualified staff (1) In general Not later than 30 days after the date on which the memorandum of understanding under subsection (d) is executed, all Federal signatories, as appropriate, shall assign to each Program office established under subsection (c) one or more employees who have expertise in the regulatory issues relating to the office or agency in which the employee is employed, including, as applicable, particular expertise in— (A) consultation regarding, and preparation of, biological opinions under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1536 (B) permits under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1344 (C) regulatory matters under the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7401 (D) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 (E) planning under section 14 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 ( 16 U.S.C. 472a (F) developing geothermal resources under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1001 (G) the preparation of analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 (2) Duties Each employee assigned under paragraph (1) shall— (A) not later than 90 days after the date on which the employee is assigned, report to the State Director of the Bureau of Land Management for the State in which the office to which the employee is assigned is located; (B) be responsible for all issues relating to the jurisdiction of the home office or agency of the employee; and (C) participate as part of the team of personnel working on proposed energy projects, planning, and environmental analyses. (f) Additional personnel The Secretary shall assign to each Program office any additional personnel that are necessary to ensure the effective implementation of— (1) the Program; and (2) any program administered by the Program office, including inspection and enforcement relating to energy development on Federal land, in accordance with the multiple use mandate of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 (g) Transfer of funds To facilitate the coordination and processing of geothermal permits on Federal land under the administration of a Program office, the Secretary may authorize the expenditure or transfer of any funds that are necessary to— (1) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; (2) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (3) the Forest Service; (4) the Environmental Protection Agency; (5) the Corps of Engineers; (6) the Department of Defense; or (7) any State in which a geothermal project is located. (h) Reports Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes— (1) the progress of the Program; and (2) any problems relating to leasing, permitting, or siting with respect to geothermal energy development on Federal land. (i) Savings clause Nothing in this section affects— (1) the operation of any Federal or State law; or (2) any delegation of authority made by the head of a Federal agency any employee of which is participating in the Program.

Summary: Advanced Geothermal Innovation Leadership Act of 2019 or the AGILE Act of 2019 This bill provides support for research and development of geothermal energy, including enhanced (i.e., engineered) geothermal systems. The bill reauthorizes through FY2024 funding to the Department of Energy (DOE) for (1) a research and development program for geothermal energy, and (2) a grant program for geothermal development in places with high utility prices. In addition, the bill directs DOE to support an initiative to adapt technologies from the oil and gas sector for use in geothermal energy development; support within the Geothermal Technologies Office a program of research, development, and demonstration for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy; carry out a competition that awards prizes for demonstrating the coproduction of critical minerals and geothermal energy; establish and operate a voluntary, industry-wide repository of geothermal drilling information to lower the cost of future geothermal drilling; and support two Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy sites. This bill revises requirements governing the amount of renewable energy that the federal government must purchase. Specifically, the bill allows thermal energy to qualify as renewable energy under the federal renewable energy purchase requirement. The Department of the Interior must establish a Geothermal Energy Permitting Coordination Program. Under the program, Interior must increase the expertise of officials administering and approving permits in order to improve coordination and reduce timelines for reviewing permits for geothermal energy projects on federal land. In addition, Interior must establish national goals for geothermal energy capacity on public land. The Bureau of Land Management must take necessary actions to facilitate geothermal energy development. The bill sets forth requirements concerning (1) the production of geothermal energy on federal lands that are producing oil or gas under an existing lease, and (2) drilling projects to test or explore for geothermal resources. The U.S. Geological Survey must update its U.S. geothermal resource assessment.