Bipartisan Congressional Geothermal Caucus launched to support the US geothermal industry

A new, bipartisan Congressional Geothermal Caucus was recently launched in the United States to consolidate bipartisan support for geothermal energy and help identify legislative solutions to support geothermal development.

The formation of the caucus was announced by Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), alongside Representatives Nick Begich (AK-AL), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), and Jeff Hurd (CO-03). Joining the founding members of the caucus are the following Representatives:

• Don Beyer (VA-08)
• Charles Fleischmann (TN-03)
• Russ Fulcher (ID-01)
• Pat Harrigan (NC-10)
• Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
• Mike Kennedy (UT-03)
• Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP)
• Susie Lee (NV-03)
• Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03)
• Frank Lucas (OK-03)
• Seth Magaziner (RI-02)
• Addison McDowell (NC-06), and
• Kevin Mullin (CA-15).

The caucus will serve as a forum to build awareness of emerging geothermal technologies and the opportunities they create for economic growth, job creation, and grid reliability. The caucus will facilitate discussions on the role geothermal energy can play in meeting the energy needs of the US and propose possible legislative measures to enable this potential role.

“Geothermal will help deliver the affordable, reliable, and clean energy that Oregonians need,” said Rep. Salinas. “Oregon sits on some of the best geothermal resources in the country, and this energy can power our homes, cut costs for families, and create good jobs right here in our state. At a time when families are watching their utility bill, geothermal offers an energy source that’s reliable and affordable. As Congress looks for ways to strengthen our grid and meet growing energy demand, geothermal deserves a seat at the table. I’m excited to launch this caucus that will coalesce strong bipartisan support for geothermal energy and help chart the future of this critical American industry.”

“America is blessed with tremendous energy resources, and geothermal represents another opportunity to responsibly harness the resources we have to strengthen American energy leadership,” said Congressman Nick Begich. “I’m proud to join Representatives Salinas, Hurd, and Auchincloss as a co-chair of the Congressional Geothermal Caucus, and I look forward to working together to elevate geothermal in our national energy conversation and advance bipartisan solutions that continue to strengthen America’s energy future.”

Geothermal has benefited greatly from bipartisan support in the United States and is one of a few renewables that continue to be favored under the Energy Emergency policy of the Trump administration. The new geothermal caucus serves to further institutionalize this bipartisan support and is an excellent avenue to coordinate legislative efforts across different territories to support geothermal development.

Source: Rep. Andrea Salinas