House Members To Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Advance Geothermal Energy Development

On August 6, state Reps. Arvind Venkat (D-Allegheny), Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) and Craig Williams (R-Delaware)  announced plans to introduce bipartisan legislation to establish regulatory clarity that will allow the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems in Pennsylvania.

With a skilled workforce that has made Pennsylvania a leader in electrical and natural gas production, the state is uniquely positioned to become a leader in next-generation geothermal energy.

This legislation would establish a framework for the development of EGS, which allows for heat deep beneath the Earth's surface to be harnessed for energy from places it previously was not able to be collected. 

Before EGS, geothermal energy production historically took place near volcanoes and hot springs.

“This advancement could make it so we can tap into the geothermal resources deep within Pennsylvania that we have not been able to before,” said Rep. Venkat. “This legislation would enable us to look forward in the world of energy production, and create new jobs for oil and gas workers, while also reducing energy costs for consumers.”

"If we are serious about an affordable, clean, and reliable energy future, we need to create the right conditions for enhanced geothermal to thrive," said Rep. Fiedler, who serves as Chair of the Pennsylvania House Energy Committee. "That means ensuring a stable regulatory environment that gives industry the confidence to invest in this game-changing technology."

The regulatory framework includes several new developments for geothermal energy, including authorizing the state Department of Environmental Protection to regulate geothermal injection wells and create a permitting process to use them, while also establishing subsurface ownership rights for geothermal resources, which would be defined to encompass all geothermal technologies.

“One of the biggest complaints I hear from constituents is the burden of energy costs on their families. I am constantly on the hunt for new, affordable energy generation to help them,” said Rep. Williams. “I am encouraged by and most interested in localized geothermal, which might alleviate the use of expensive electricity for home heating and cooling. That would be a huge cost-savings victory for our people, if we can draw that technology to the Commonwealth.”

The legislation would also permit abandoned oil and gas wells to be repurposed into geothermal wells and support the DEP’s Class V underground injection control program to assist in streamlining the permitting and repurposing processes.

States such as Texas, Washington, and neighboring West Virginia have established regulatory clarity for the use of EGS.

“This legislation would enable us to make bold investments in this new innovation so that millions of Pennsylvanians have access to clean, locally sourced energy that is potentially limitless and always on power,” said Rep. Venkat. “We have been a national leader in energy production, and working with this new technology would allow Pennsylvania to continue leading the future of energy.”

Click Here for a copy of the announcement.

Resource Links:

-- House Energy Committee Hears Testimony On How PA Has Enough Geothermal Energy To Meet 100% Of Pennsylvania’s Electricity, Heating Energy Needs  [PaEN] 

-- Guest Essay: Geothermal Might Have The Answer For Pennsylvania's Clean Energy Needs  [PaEN] 

-- 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]

-- The Center Square: Bipartisan Support For Geothermal Energy In House

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[Posted: August 6, 2025]  PA Environment Digest