Title: Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019
This bill revises provisions related to hydrothermal and geothermal research and development programs at the Department of Energy.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5374 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 5374

 To establish and support advanced geothermal research and development 
     programs at the Department of Energy, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 10, 2019

    Mr. Lucas (for himself and Ms. Johnson of Texas) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, 
   and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and 
 Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
   each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish and support advanced geothermal research and development 
     programs at the Department of Energy, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Advanced 
Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Hydrothermal research and development.
Sec. 4. General geothermal systems research and development.
Sec. 5. Enhanced geothermal systems research and development.
Sec. 6. Cost sharing and proposal evaluation.
Sec. 7. Advanced geothermal computing and data science research and 
                            development.
Sec. 8. Geothermal workforce development.
Sec. 9. Reporting requirements.
Sec. 10. Repeals.
Sec. 11. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 12. International geothermal energy development.
Sec. 13. Reauthorization of High Cost Region Geothermal Energy Grant 
                            Program.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 612(1) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 
(42 U.S.C. 17191(1)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) Engineered.--When referring to enhanced geothermal 
        systems, the term `engineered' means designed to access 
        subsurface heat, including stimulation and nonstimulation 
        technologies to address one or more of the following issues:
                    ``(A) Lack of effective permeability, porosity or 
                open fracture connectivity within the heat reservoir.
                    ``(B) Insufficient contained geofluid in the heat 
                reservoir.
                    ``(C) A low average geothermal gradient which 
                necessitates deeper drilling, or the use of alternative 
                heat sources or heat generation processes.''.

SEC. 3. HYDROTHERMAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 613 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
U.S.C. 17192) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 613. HYDROTHERMAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program of 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for 
geothermal energy production from hydrothermal systems.
    ``(b) Programs.--The program authorized in subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            ``(1) Advanced hydrothermal resource tools.--The research 
        and development of advanced geologic tools to assist in 
        locating hydrothermal resources, and to increase the 
        reliability of site characterization, including the development 
        of new imaging and sensing technologies and techniques to 
        assist in prioritization of targets for characterization;
            ``(2) Exploratory drilling for geothermal resources.--The 
        demonstration of advanced technologies and techniques of siting 
        and exploratory drilling for undiscovered resources in a 
        variety of geologic settings, carried out in collaboration with 
        industry partners that will assist in the acquisition of high 
        quality data sets relevant for hydrothermal subsurface 
        characterization activities''.

SEC. 4. GENERAL GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 614 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
U.S.C. 17193) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 614. GENERAL GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) Subsurface Components and Systems.--The Secretary shall 
support a program of research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application of components and systems capable of 
withstanding geothermal environments and necessary to develop, produce, 
and monitor geothermal reservoirs and produce geothermal energy.
    ``(b) Environmental Impacts.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) support a program of research, development, 
        demonstration, and commercial application of technologies and 
        practices designed to mitigate or preclude potential adverse 
        environmental impacts of geothermal energy development, 
        production or use; and
            ``(2) support a research program to identify potential 
        environmental impacts and environmental benefits of geothermal 
        energy development, production, and use, and ensure that the 
        program described in paragraph (1) addresses such impacts, 
        including effects on groundwater and local hydrology;
            ``(3) support a program of research to compare the 
        potential environmental impacts and environmental benefits 
        identified as part of the development, production, and use of 
        geothermal energy with the potential emission reductions of 
        greenhouse gases gained by geothermal energy development, 
        production, and use; and
            ``(4) in carrying out this section, the Secretary shall, to 
        the maximum extent practicable, consult with relevant Federal 
        agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency.
    ``(c) Reservoir Thermal Energy Storage.--The Secretary shall 
support a program of research, development, and demonstration of 
reservoir thermal energy storage, emphasizing cost-effective 
improvements through deep direct use engineering, design, and systems 
research.
    ``(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 research, develop, and demonstrate relevant advanced 
        technologies and operation techniques used in the oil and gas 
        sector for use in geothermal energy development.
            ``(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.
            ``(3) Coproduction of geothermal energy and minerals 
        production research and development initiative.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
                research and development initiative under which the 
                Secretary shall award grants to demonstrate the 
                coproduction of critical minerals from geothermal 
                resources.
                    ``(B) Requirements.--An award made 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 
                        targets mineral commodity;
                            ``(iii) decrease water use and other 
                        environmental impacts, as determined by the 
                        Secretary; and
                            ``(iv) demonstrate a path to commercial 
                        viability.''.

SEC. 5. ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 615 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
U.S.C. 17194) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 615. ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall support a program of 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for 
enhanced geothermal systems, including the programs described in 
subsection (b).
    ``(b) Enhanced Geothermal Systems Technologies.--In collaboration 
with industry partners, the Secretary shall support a program of 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of the 
technologies to achieve higher efficiency and lower cost enhanced 
geothermal systems, including--
            ``(1) reservoir stimulation;
            ``(2) reservoir characterization, monitoring, and modeling;
            ``(3) stress and fracture mapping including real time 
        monitoring and modeling;
            ``(4) tracer development;
            ``(5) three and four-dimensional seismic imaging and 
        tomography;
            ``(6) well placement and orientation;
            ``(7) long-term reservoir management;
            ``(8) drilling technologies, methods, and tools;
            ``(9) improved exploration tools;
            ``(10) zonal isolation; and
            ``(11) understanding induced seismicity risks from 
        reservoir engineering and stimulation.
    ``(c) Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy.--The 
Secretary shall support the establishment and construction of up to 3 
field research sites operated by public or academic entities, which 
shall each be known as a `Frontier Observatory for Research in 
Geothermal Energy' or `FORGE' site to develop, test, and enhance 
techniques and tools for enhanced geothermal energy.
            ``(1) Duties.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) award grants in support of research and 
                development projects focused on advanced monitoring 
                technologies, new technologies and approaches for 
                implementing multi-zone stimulations, and dynamic 
                reservoir modeling that incorporates all available 
                high-fidelity characterization data; and
                    ``(B) seek opportunities to coordinate efforts and 
                share information with domestic and international 
                partners engaged in research and development of 
                geothermal systems and related technology.
            ``(2) Site selection.--Of the FORGE sites referred to in 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) consider applications through a competitive, 
                merit-reviewed process, from National Laboratories, 
                multi-institutional collaborations, institutes of 
                higher education and other appropriate entities best 
                suited to provide national leadership on geothermal 
                related issues and perform the duties enumerated under 
                this subsection; and
                    ``(B) prioritize existing field sites and 
                facilities with capabilities relevant to the duties 
                enumerated under this subsection.
            ``(3) Funding.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated 
        under section 11 of the `Advanced Geothermal Research and 
        Development Act of 2019', there shall be made available to the 
        Secretary to carry out the FORGE activities under this 
        paragraph--
                    ``(A) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
                    ``(B) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(C) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
                    ``(D) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
                    ``(E) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
        In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consider the 
        balance between funds dedicated to construction and operations 
        and research activities to reflect the state of site 
        development.
            ``(4) Enhanced geothermal systems demonstrations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Beginning on the date of 
                enactment of the `Advanced Geothermal Energy Research 
                and Development Act of 2019', the Secretary, in 
                collaboration with industry partners and institutions 
                of higher education, shall support an initiative for 
                demonstration of enhanced geothermal systems for power 
                production or direct use.
                    ``(B) Projects.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Under the initiative 
                        described in subparagraph (A), demonstration 
                        projects shall be carried out in locations that 
                        are commercially viable for enhanced geothermal 
                        systems development, while also considering 
                        environmental impacts to the maximum extent 
                        practicable, 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; and
                                    ``(II) to the extent practicable, 
                                use existing sites where subsurface 
                                characterization or geothermal energy 
                                integration analysis has been 
                                conducted.
                            ``(iii) Eastern demonstration.--Not less 
                        than 1 demonstration project carried out 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.''.

SEC. 6. COST SHARING AND PROPOSAL EVALUATION.

    Section 617(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 
(42 U.S.C. 17196) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and 
redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), 
respectively.

SEC. 7. ADVANCED GEOTHERMAL COMPUTING AND DATA SCIENCE RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 618 of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17197) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 618. ADVANCED GEOTHERMAL COMPUTING AND DATA SCIENCE RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program of 
research and development of advanced computing and data science tools 
for geothermal energy.
    ``(b) Programs.--The program authorized in subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            ``(1) Advanced computing for geothermal systems 
        technologies.--Research, development, and demonstration of 
        technologies to develop advanced data, machine learning, 
        artificial intelligence, and related computing tools to assist 
        in locating geothermal resources, to increase the reliability 
        of site characterization, to increase the rate and efficiency 
        of drilling, to improve induced seismicity mitigation, and to 
        support enhanced geothermal systems technologies.
            ``(2) Geothermal systems reservoir modeling.--Research, 
        development, and demonstration of models of geothermal 
        reservoir performance and enhanced geothermal systems reservoir 
        stimulation technologies and techniques, with an emphasis on 
        accurately modeling heat flow, permeability evolution, 
        seismicity, and operational performance over time, including 
        collaboration with industry and field validation.
    ``(c) Coordination.--In carrying out these programs, the Secretary 
shall ensure coordination and consultation with the Department of 
Energy's Office of Science. The Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum 
extent practicable, coordination of these activities with the 
Department of Energy National Laboratories, institutes of higher 
education, and the private sector.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the Energy Independence 
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001 note) is amended in the table 
of contents by amending the item related to section 618 to read as 
follows:

``Sec. 618. Advanced geothermal computing and data science research and 
                            development.''.

SEC. 8. GEOTHERMAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 619 of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17198) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 619. GEOTHERMAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

    ``The Secretary shall support the development of a geothermal 
energy workforce through a program that--
            ``(1) facilitates collaboration between university students 
        and researchers at the national laboratories; and
            ``(2) prioritizes science in areas relevant to the mission 
        of the Department through the application of geothermal energy 
        tools and technologies.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the Energy Independence 
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001 note) is amended in the table 
of contents by amending the item related to section 619 to read as 
follows:

``Sec. 619. Geothermal workforce development.''.

SEC. 9. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 621 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
U.S.C. 17200) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 621. REPORTS.

    ``(a) Report.--Every 5 years after the date of enactment of 
Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019 , the 
Secretary shall report to the Committee on Science and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate on advanced concepts and technologies to 
maximize the geothermal resource potential of the United States.
    ``(b) Progress Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the `Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 
2019', and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on 
the results of projects undertaken under this part and other such 
information the Secretary considers appropriate.''.

SEC. 10. REPEALS.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle B of title VI of the Energy Independence 
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191 et seq.) is amended by 
striking section 620.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the Energy Independence 
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17001 note) is amended in the table 
of contents by striking the item related to section 620.

SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 623 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
U.S.C. 17202) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 623. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out the programs under the `Advanced Geothermal Research and 
Development Act of 2019'--
            ``(1) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(2) $111,125,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(3) $122,250,000 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(4) $128,375,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(5) $129,500,000 for fiscal year 2024.''.

SEC. 12. INTERNATIONAL GEOTHERMAL ENERGY DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 624 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
U.S.C. 17203) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with 
other appropriate Federal and multilateral agencies (including the 
United States Agency for International Development) shall support 
collaborative efforts with international partners to promote the 
research, development, and demonstration of geothermal technologies 
used to develop hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal system 
resources.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (c).

SEC. 13. 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) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting `` or heat'' after 
        ``electrical power''; and
            (2) in subsection (e), to read as follows:
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Out of funds authorized 
under section 11 of the `Advanced Geothermal Research and Development 
Act of 2019', there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.''.
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