Introduced in Senate — S. 4610

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4610

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 20, 2026

Mr. Schatz (for himself, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Curtis, and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

A BILL

To promote the development and use of geothermal resources in the Pacific, and for other purposes.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Pacific Promotion of Workable Energy Resources Act or the Pacific POWER Act.

Sec. 2. Definitions

In this Act:

(1) Appropriate committees of Congress

The term appropriate committees of Congress means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(B)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(2) Direct use

The term direct use has the meaning given the term in section 616A of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17195a(b)).

(3) Geothermal partners

The term geothermal partners means the United States allies and partners selected pursuant to section 6.

(4) Next-generation geothermal

The term next-generation geothermal means a geothermal power production technology that has the potential to greatly expand the scale and geographical range of geothermal power production, including—

(A)

enhanced geothermal systems, as defined in section 612 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191);

(B)

closed-loop geothermal systems, meaning systems that use one or more wells drilled into hot rock with fluid circulating through a closed-loop system to bring heat to the surface;

(C)

geothermal systems which harness heat from supercritical temperatures, meaning at or above 375 degrees; and

(D)

other innovative geothermal power technologies.

(5) Relevant United States agencies

The term relevant United States agencies includes the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the United States Trade and Development Agency, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

(6) Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of State.

Sec. 3. Findings

Congress makes the following findings:

(1)

The November 2025 National Security Strategy prioritizes the United States having the world’s most robust, productive, and innovative energy sector—one capable not just of fueling American economic growth but of being one of America’s leading export industries in its own right.

(2)

The November 2025 National Security Strategy further states that [e]xpanding our net energy exports will also deepen relationships with allies while curtailing the influence of adversaries, protect our ability to defend our shores, and—when and where necessary—enables us to project power.

(3)

Numerous allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific experience energy security vulnerabilities that have implications for their autonomy, ability to resist coercion, defense requirements, and democratic freedoms, which could implicate United States national security decisions, including military deployments and the potential use of force, to come to their assistance and otherwise promote regional stability.

(4)

Taiwan relies on imports for more than 95 percent of its energy needs and is increasingly vulnerable to blockade from People’s Liberation Army forces, with direct implications for United States military operations and national security.

(5)

According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, the People's Republic of China is a leading producer of key grid components, and its growing footprint in global energy systems raises numerous national security concerns for the United States and other countries.

(6)

The People’s Republic of China is responsible for almost half of final geothermal energy consumption globally by harnessing low-temperature resources for space heating.

(7)

The People’s Republic of China is developing and deploying geothermal technology domestically, which may reach an installed geothermal power generation capacity of 200 megawatts in 2030 and more than 1,000 megawatts in 2050.

(8)

Key allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific have both energy security vulnerabilities and geothermal resources that could help reduce those vulnerabilities.

(9)

According to the International Energy Agency, geothermal energy is a dispatchable source of power that has the potential to meet up to 15 percent of global electricity demand growth to 2050, making it a strong candidate to help meet the growing energy demand from artificial intelligence and other sectors.

(10)

Despite this potential, policy support and investment in geothermal energy is significantly lacking compared to other energy sources globally.

(11)

According to the Department of Energy, the United States leads the world in geothermal electricity generation.

(12)

According to the International Energy Agency, Indonesia, Türkiye, the Philippines, and New Zealand are among the top sources of geothermal electricity generation in addition to the United States.

(13)

According to the International Energy Agency, geothermal energy already provides more than 10 percent of total electricity supply in Kenya, Iceland, El Salvador, New Zealand, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

(14)

The United States has the necessary resources, personnel, commercial capabilities, and technical expertise to assist allies and partners in developing geothermal upon request.

Sec. 4. Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

the Indo-Pacific is critical to United States national security and economic interests, particularly given the rise of the People’s Republic of China as a competitor, and has some of the world’s highest geothermal potential;

(2)

achieving United States foreign and national security policy objectives, including deterring conflict and reducing vulnerability to coercion, requires further strengthening relationships with key regional allies and partners;

(3)

the United States should expand its engagement with key allies and partners on geothermal, including through commercial partnerships and technical assistance to support the development of their geothermal capabilities to reduce reliance on the energy exports of adversaries and to develop markets for United States companies; and

(4)

the United States should prioritize the pursuit of bilateral memoranda of understanding or other appropriate agreements on geothermal energy with key allies and partners, where doing so furthers United States foreign policy and national security interests.

Sec. 5. Geothermal diplomacy

(a) In general

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall work both bilaterally and multilaterally to advance geothermal energy in support of United States interests, including to develop—

(1)

goals to increase geothermal deployment, including for electricity and direct use applications;

(2)

forums for collective learning and research;

(3)

risk-sharing and financial tools for geothermal exploration and development;

(4)

potential regulatory and power market reforms that support geothermal power production, direct use applications, and grid interconnection; and

(5)

technical, environmental, safety, and community engagement standards and best practices, including—

(A)

early and consistent community engagement, including the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples and other communities;

(B)

revenue sharing to create local economic benefits;

(C)

reservoir management;

(D)

mitigation of seismic risk through real-time monitoring, operational guardrails, and engagement with impacted communities;

(E)

mitigation of impacts to water resources; and

(F)

standardized, transparent, and secure mechanisms for sharing geological and project-related data.

(b) Indo-Pacific engagement

The Secretary shall prioritize engaging with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific on opportunities to collaborate on geothermal energy and as potential geothermal partners to be selected pursuant to section 6, including—

(1)

Taiwan;

(2)

the Philippines;

(3)

Japan;

(4)

Australia;

(5)

Indonesia;

(6)

India;

(7)

New Zealand; and

(8)

Papua New Guinea.

(c) Multilateral mechanisms

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall use existing multilateral mechanisms to advance cooperation on geothermal energy, including—

(1)

the Quadrilateral Dialogue, or Quad, comprising the United States, Australia, India, and Japan;

(2)

the United States-Japan-Philippines trilateral dialogue;

(3)

the United States-Japan-Republic of Korea trilateral dialogue;

(4)

the Pacific Community, the principal scientific and technical organization in the Pacific region;

(5)

the International Energy Agency; and

(6)

the Group of Seven, comprising the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada.

Sec. 6. Establishment of international geothermal program and country selection

(a) Assessment

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with relevant United States agencies, shall develop and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that—

(1)

assesses global geothermal resources, including mapping the areas of highest potential for geothermal development based on factors, such as—

(A)

existing geothermal generation;

(B)

subsurface data;

(C)

proximity of geothermal resources to existing or potential energy infrastructure;

(D)

regulatory and economic conditions, including financial incentives for geothermal;

(E)

current and projected energy mix and demand;

(F)

workforce;

(G)

supply chains, including the distribution of assets relative to projected demand; and

(H)

energy reliability conditions;

(2)

assesses countries, regions, and other locations in which geothermal development or expansion is most beneficial to United States national security and economic interests, including in support of United States Indo-Pacific strategy; and

(3)

explains the strategy for addressing the challenges to geothermal energy development or expansion in the countries, regions, and other locations most beneficial to United States national security and economic interests.

(b) Consultation

In preparing the report required in subsection (a), the Secretary and relevant agencies shall consult with—

(1)

Department of Energy National Laboratories (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801));

(2)

institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (2 U.S.C. 1001(a)));

(3)

nonpartisan and nonprofit organizations;

(4)

the International Energy Agency;

(5)

the advisory group established pursuant to subsection (g); and

(6)

the appropriate committees of Congress.

(c) Establishment

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, shall establish the International Geothermal Program (the Program) for international collaboration on geothermal exploration and development to carry out section 5 and to pursue bilateral and multilateral partnerships as described in subsection (d) to further United States foreign policy and national security interests.

(d) Program

The Program established pursuant to subsection (c) shall include public-private partnerships for the exploration and development of geothermal resources and next-generation geothermal systems, including—

(1)

to support large-scale geothermal deployment, including for next-generation geothermal technologies and direct use applications;

(2)

to conduct research of next-generation geothermal technologies, including through coordination with existing international research initiatives;

(3)

to conduct geothermal resource exploration and characterization;

(4)

to support the integration of geothermal energy into energy system planning and regulations;

(5)

to identify opportunity zones where geothermal could meet industrial, heating and cooling, agricultural, and electricity needs;

(6)

to support the workforce and supply chains necessary for geothermal deployment;

(7)

to support community engagement and education;

(8)

to assist in the development and implementation of risk-sharing mechanisms and other financial tools for the cost of geothermal exploration and development;

(9)

to assist in the development of predictable siting and permitting processes for partners selected pursuant to subsection (e);

(10)

to create financial incentives for investment in geothermal energy; and

(11)

to identify investment and export opportunities for United States companies.

(e) Selection of geothermal partners

Concurrent with the establishment of the Program pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary, in coordination with relevant United States agencies, and in consultation with the appropriate congressional committees, shall select at least five geothermal partners that—

(1)

include—

(A)

not fewer than three countries in the Indo-Pacific;

(B)

not fewer than one country that currently does not produce or consume geothermal energy at commercial scale; and

(C)

not fewer than one country that demonstrates significant potential to expand existing capacity for geothermal energy generation, such as through recent success in adding more geothermal energy to its grid and through the inclusion of geothermal in utility resource plans; and

(2)

are informed by the report required under subsection (a).

(f) Agreements

The Secretary shall pursue memoranda of understanding or other appropriate agreements with countries selected pursuant to subsection (e) and that are willing to work with the United States to implement the Program.

(g) Engagement with the private sector and nonprofits

The Secretary, in coordination with relevant agencies, shall establish an advisory mechanism to engage United States geothermal developers, equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, industry associations, and nonprofit organizations with geothermal expertise in the implementation of the Program, including to—

(1)

identify export opportunities for United States geothermal technology and services in geothermal partner countries;

(2)

advise on technical standards, data, policy, supply chain development, and workforce needs; and

(3)

facilitate connections between United States companies and organizations and geothermal investment opportunities.

Sec. 7. Implementation of the International Geothermal Program

(a) Strategy

Not later than 180 days after the establishment of the Program and selection of geothermal partners pursuant to section 6, the Secretary, in coordination with relevant United States agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that describes the United States strategy for advancing geothermal energy with each of the geothermal partners.

(b) Elements

The strategy submitted pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the estimated personnel and assistance resources required on an annual basis for successful implementation of such strategy, and the identification of opportunities for—

(1)

supporting regional partnerships on geothermal energy;

(2)

strengthening the resilience of geothermal supply chains, including—

(A)

equipment and services related to geothermal resource exploration, characterization, and production; and

(B)

through partnerships with domestic and allied manufacturers;

(3)

leveraging existing and developing new multilateral financing tools to support geothermal energy;

(4)

conducting geothermal-specific feasibility studies and other support by the United States Trade and Development Agency; and

(5)

the United States Export-Import Bank, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the United States International Development Finance Corporation to provide financial support to geothermal partners that meet the eligibility requirements of the agencies.

(c) Implementation

The implementation of the Program established in section 6 shall be led by the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment and coordinated with the leadership of the Office of International Affairs and the Geothermal Technologies Office.

(d) Annual report

The Secretary, in coordination with relevant United States agencies, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes—

(1)

a summary of United States activities and engagement with each geothermal partner, including the status of negotiations to establish memoranda of understanding or other agreements pursuant to section 6(f);

(2)

any changes to the strategy required by subsection (a) for each geothermal partner;

(3)

the number of personnel assigned to implementation of the Program, by operating unit; and

(4)

assistance provided to implement the Program to date by operating unit, amount, account, and purpose.

(e) Technical and financial assistance

The Secretary is authorized to work with relevant United States agencies to promote and coordinate the development and underwriting of grants, loans, loan guarantees, and other technical and financial assistance to geothermal partners and United States companies that work with geothermal partners through the Program established in section 6.

(f) Coordination

In preparing the strategy required under subsection (a) and the annual report required under subsection (d), and implementing the Program established in section 6, the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment shall convene relevant agencies and the advisory group established in section 6(g) and brief the appropriate committees of Congress not less than twice per year.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as necessary to carry out section 6 for fiscal years 2027 to 2031.

(h) Transfer authority

Funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State pursuant to subsection (g) are authorized to be transferred to the relevant United States agencies if the Secretary determines and reports to the appropriate committees of Congress that to do so is necessary to carry out this Act, and concurrently notifies such committees detailing the intended use of such funds, not later than 15 days in advance of the transfer of such funds.