September 3, 2026
Mr. Hernández (for himself and Mr. Begich) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct certain geothermal assessments for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Puerto Rico Energy Opportunity and Geothermal Assessment Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Geothermal assessments for Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Section 2501 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (30 U.S.C. 1028) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (c)(2), by striking the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and
;
(2)
by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(3)
by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
(d) Puerto Rico
(1) In general
In carrying out the update required under subsection (c), the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, and in coordination with relevant officials of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and institutions of higher education, shall conduct geothermal assessments, including enhanced geothermal systems assessments, for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(2) Requirements
The geothermal assessments conducted under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
the production of high-resolution maps and supporting geospatial data consistent with the requirements of subsection (c)(1)(D);
(B)
assessments of groundwater vulnerability associated with enhanced geothermal systems exploration and development, with particular attention to karst terrain and other highly transmissive aquifer systems; and
(C)
assessments of seismic hazards and induced seismicity risks associated with enhanced geothermal systems exploration and development.
(3) Reports
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection and biennially thereafter until the date of the completion of the assessment required under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report regarding the geothermal assessments required under paragraph (1), including—
(A)
the status of each activity carried out and product developed pursuant to the assessments;
(B)
a description of the coordination carried out pursuant to the assessments;
(C)
preliminary results of the assessments, as available;
(D)
a description of obstacles to the completion of the assessments; and
(E)
the planned next steps of the Secretary in conducting the assessments.