PA House Passes Bipartisan Legislation To Establish Framework For Developing Clean, Safe Geothermal Energy To Meet Base Load Energy Demands

On May 4, the House passed House Bill 2076 (Venkat-D-Allegheny, Williams-R-Chester) to establish a framework for development of clean, safe geothermal energy to meet exploding base load energy demands.

The House voted 118 to 83 to pass the bill-- 16 Republicans voting in support.

“This legislation will enable us to make bold investments into Pennsylvania’s geothermal resources that we have not been able to use before,” said Rep. Arvind Venkat. “We have been a national leader in energy development, and this legislation would enable us to move forward in the world of clean energy production and create jobs, while also reducing energy costs for consumers.”

The framework in this legislation includes several new developments for geothermal energy, including authorizing the state Department of Environmental Protection to regulate geothermal injection wells with a predictable and responsible permitting framework, establish subsurface ownership rights for geothermal resources, and allow for the repurposing of abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal energy development.

“Pennsylvania faces an electricity crisis as demand rises, and we must focus on increasing generation,” said Rep. Craig Williams. “This legislation creates a path for geothermal energy development by putting existing infrastructure, including legacy oil and gas wells, back into productive use. This bill will strengthen our energy supply and support long-term affordability.”

“As Chair of the House Energy Committee, I am proud to sponsor this bipartisan legislation with Reps. Venkat and Williams that will help move Pennsylvania forward with next generation energy technology,” said Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler. "Amid our energy crisis and the growing need to meet demand, geothermal energy will diversify Pennsylvania's clean energy portfolio and make us more resilient in years to come."

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Click Here for the announcement.

Resource Links:

-- Penn State, Project InnerSpace Report: Leverage Oil & Gas Workers To Generate Enough Geothermal Energy To Meet 100% Of Pennsylvania's Electricity, Heating, Medium Industrial Process Needs  [PaEN] 

-- House Energy Committee Hears How Geothermal Energy Could Meet 100% Of PA’s Electricity, Heating Needs Offering True Energy Independence And Freedom From Foreign Energy Markets Costing Pennsylvanians Billions  [PaEN] 

-- Shapiro Administration Secures $14 Million From US DOE For Enhanced GeoThermal Systems Pilot Demonstration Project In Indiana County  [PaEN] 

-- Joint State Government Commission Identifies 382 Potential Sites For Geothermal Facilities Using Abandoned Mine Pools; Geothermal Energy Could Reduce A.I. Data Center Energy Demand By 30-40%  [PaEN] 

-- Guest Essay: Geothermal Might Have The Answer For Pennsylvania's Clean Energy Needs - By John Wallizer, PA Environmental Council & Kevin Sunday, McNees Wallace & Nurick  [PaEN] 

Related Articles This Week:

-- PA House Passes Bipartisan Legislation To Establish Framework For Developing Clean, Safe Geothermal Energy To Meet Base Load Energy Demands  [PaEN]   

-- Environmental Advocates Urge Lawmakers To Pass Bills Giving PUC Authority To Regulate Data Centers, Prohibit Nondisclosure Agreements, Promote Clean Energy To Reduce Energy Costs  [PaEN]

-- PA Solar Center: Learn How To Advocate For REAL Energy Independence For PA At May 16 In-Person Workshop In Westmoreland County [PaEN]   

[Posted: May 4, 2026]  PA Environment Digest