EGS DC Celebrates the Introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act
Today, the Enhanced Geothermal Systems Deployment Coalition (EGS DC) issued the following statement in support of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 following a bipartisan permitting reform agreement reached by Senate negotiators:
The Enhanced Geothermal Systems Deployment Coalition (EGS DC) applauds Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), along with Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM), for reaching a bipartisan agreement on comprehensive permitting reform legislation. Their leadership demonstrates that Congress can come together to advance historic reforms that strengthen American energy security, support economic growth, and accelerate deployment of next-generation energy technologies.
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 includes a series of landmark geothermal provisions that will modernize federal permitting and leasing policies and accelerate deployment of next-generation geothermal energy projects. EGS DC is particularly encouraged by the inclusion of key priorities championed by the coalition, geothermal industry leaders, and congressional advocates, including provisions from the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act, the Harnessing Energy at Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act, and language codifying that certain low-impact geothermal exploration and development activities do not constitute major federal actions. Together, these measures will provide greater regulatory certainty, reduce duplicative reviews, improve agency coordination, and help unlock America's vast geothermal resources to meet growing electricity demand while strengthening domestic energy production.
This legislation represents the most significant package of geothermal permitting and regulatory reforms considered by Congress in years and reflects broad bipartisan recognition of geothermal energy's role in providing affordable, reliable, around-the-clock power. The reforms included in this package will help ensure that promising geothermal projects can move from conception to construction more efficiently while maintaining strong environmental standards.
EGS DC is grateful to the lawmakers, stakeholders, and coalition members whose leadership and engagement help secure these long-sought geothermal reforms.
EGS DC encourages Senate and House leadership to move quickly to advance this historic bipartisan agreement and send permitting reform legislation to the President's desk before the end of the year.
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About EGS DC: The Enhanced Geothermal Systems Deployment Coalition (EGS DC) launched to promote policies that allow for rapid deployment of enhanced geothermal systems to meet the growing demand for firm, reliable and affordable electricity generation throughout the county. EGS DC members include Fervo Energy, Devon Energy, Quaise Energy, Baker Hughes, DynaEnergetics, Google, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NVIDIA, PG&E, SLB, Turboden, and Vallourec. Learn more at: https://www.egsdc.org/