House Moves To Unlock Largely Untapped Power Source Lurking Deep Inside Earth

The House passed a bill Monday to expand research into a largely untapped energy source amid growing demand for power driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence.

Sponsored by Republican North Carolina Rep. Pat Harrigan and Democratic Oregon Rep. Andrea Salinas, the bipartisan Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act passed the House by voice vote Monday. The bill aims to expand federal research into advanced geothermal technology as lawmakers seek reliable, around-the-clock power sources to meet soaring electricity demand from artificial intelligence, data centers and domestic manufacturing.

Harrigan is “proud” to champion next-generation geothermal research as a way to strengthen America’s long-term energy supply, the congressman told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“I’m proud to see the House come together to pass this bipartisan legislation because America is going to need a lot more reliable power in the years ahead,” Harrigan said. “As AI expands, manufacturing comes home, and electricity demand continues to climb, we have to be investing in technologies that can deliver affordable, around-the-clock energy.”

“My bipartisan Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act just PASSED the House,” the North Carolina Republican wrote in a late Monday X post. “Now let’s unlock one of America’s greatest untapped energy advantages and build the reliable power we’ll need to lead the next generation of innovation.”

Next-generation geothermal has significant potential to move the technology from the research phase to real-world deployment, Harrigan told the DCNF.

“That’s good for our energy security, good for our economy, and good for American families,” said Harrigan concluded.

Salinas did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.