Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility State House passes bipartisan legislation to advance geothermal energy development

State House passes bipartisan legislation to advance geothermal energy development

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    May 4, 2026 | 3:48 PM

HARRISBURG, May 4 – With several states beginning to establish regulations for geothermal energy, Pennsylvania has now joined that group with the state House passing bipartisan legislation to foster the development of this clean base load energy source, announced the bill’s co-prime sponsors, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Craig Williams and Elizabeth Fiedler.

House Bill 2076 would establish a framework for the development of geothermal energy, 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 recent technological developments, geothermal energy production historically took place near volcanoes and hot springs.

“This legislation will enable us to make bold investments into Pennsylvania’s geothermal resources that we have not been able to use before,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “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 Williams, R-Chester/Delaware. “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 Fiedler, D-Phila. "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."

House Bill 2076 passed 118-83 and now moves to the state Senate for consideration.