A Unanimous Mandate
When the Arizona Senate passed House Concurrent Resolution 2057 with a 29-0 vote, it sent an unambiguous, bipartisan signal: next-generation geothermal energy is a priority for Arizona’s energy and economic future. Championed by House Rural Economic Development Committee Chair Rep. Teresa Martinez, the resolution signifies the Legislature’s strong support for geothermal development and helps catalyze the industry by calling for regulatory alignment across state agencies and streamlined permitting.
Importantly, HCR2057 is the only Concurrent Resolution supporting agency actions to pass both Chambers unanimously so far this session, showing just how bipartisan the support is. Other resolutions and memorials related to natural resource issues have received votes along party lines, emphasizing the unique and united support next generation geothermal energy has in Arizona.
“Many people don’t realize that Arizona has significant geothermal resources. With the advancement of technology, we now have the ability to tap into resources that were previously cost prohibitive.”
— Rep. Teresa Martinez
InnerSpace Action championed HCR 2057, working with partners to advance its passage. The resolution sets the stage for a forthcoming Project InnerSpace report, authored by 15 experts from 8 institutions, that will provide a concrete policy roadmap for how Arizona can scale geothermal development and lower consumer energy costs. That is how the two organizations work: Project InnerSpace builds the research and credibility; InnerSpace Action turns it into legislative wins.
Significant Potential, Near-Term Opportunity
Forthcoming Project InnerSpace analysis shows Arizona has substantial geothermal potential for electricity generation, industrial heat, space cooling, and district heating, at a scale that could materially reshape the state’s energy system.
Phoenix provides the clearest near-term catalyst. Recent analysis from the Rhodium Group identifies Phoenix as the top U.S. data center hub for “data center-ready” geothermal potential, with enough resources to meet 100% of its projected AI data center demand growth. Geothermal can provide both the firm, around-the-clock power and the thermal cooling these facilities require, giving Arizona a competitive edge in attracting digital infrastructure.
Phoenix has more data center-ready geothermal potential than any other major U.S. hub, enough to meet all projected AI data center demand growth. (Rhodium Group, 2025)
How HCR 2057 Aligns with the Needed Policies
The forthcoming Project InnerSpace report will outline key policy recommendations for scaling geothermal in Arizona. HCR 2057’s priorities map directly to several of them: a one-door permitting portal with standardized templates and transparent agency coordination; modernized State Land Department leasing; and utility planning reforms that value firm, dispatchable geothermal capacity. The resolution’s unanimous passage strengthens the political foundation for all of these reforms.
Still, the central barrier to scaling geothermal in Arizona is not geology; it is a policy gap. Geothermal development on federal lands currently takes 7 to 10 years due to permitting timelines, while comparable oil and gas projects face far fewer hurdles. Arizona’s legislature and agencies have the opportunity to follow HCR 2057’s intent with concrete procedural reforms that will upgrade Arizona’s potential into a foundation for transformational next generation geothermal projects. InnerSpace Action looks forward to working with Arizona’s agencies and legislators to make that happen.