Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026

Floor Speech

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Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, and I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 5587, the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act or the HEATS Act.

Republicans ran on a simple promise: to unleash American energy dominance and lower prices for families. The HEATS Act delivers on those commitments.

Geothermal energy is a powerful domestic energy source that can generate electricity and heat homes and buildings without relying on foreign adversaries or suppliers.

America has enormous geothermal resources sitting right beneath our feet. My State of California has some of the richest geothermal reserves in the world, but burdensome permitting requirements are keeping that energy locked away.

The HEATS Act fixes that by cutting red tape and waiving Federal drilling permit requirements for geothermal wells on State and local lands. Operators will still go through a rigorous State-level permitting process, but they will no longer be subjected to duplicative Federal requirements that slow production, raise costs, and kill jobs.

This means more American energy coming online faster, lower energy costs for working families, and a stronger domestic supply chain that doesn't depend on adversaries like China.

H.R. 5587 is a commonsense, progrowth measure that lowers energy costs and strengthens our national security.

I thank Representative Gray for working with me and co-leading this effort. I also thank Chairman Bruce Westerman for his work to accelerate geothermal production and advance American energy independence.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the HEATS Act.

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