Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is bringing geothermal east
With a skilled oil and gas workforce, Pennsylvania can lead the eastern U.S. in the next drilling revolution for heat.
Pennsylvania
Why Pennsylvania matters for geothermal
Pennsylvania’s opportunity in next-generation geothermal builds on strengths developed through its oil and gas industry. Pennsylvania has a substantial oil and gas workforce, including roughly 12,000 workers directly employed in oil and gas extraction, drilling, and support activities. The Marcellus and Utica shale regions also support a broader base of engineering and technical expertise relevant to next-generation geothermal development. Beyond the economic case, locally sourced, always-on geothermal thermal energy reduces dependence on imported fuels and insulates communities from volatile gas markets.
Featured state report
The Future of Geothermal in Pennsylvania
The report was published by Project InnerSpace in February 2025 with Penn State’s Center for Energy Law and Policy. Authors from four Pennsylvania universities wrote it, with 16 further contributors and reviewers, and it set out 23 recommendations across six areas of focus.The report delivers 23 targeted policy recommendations, from permitting reform to workforce development, that chart Pennsylvania’s path to geothermal leadership in the eastern United States.
Recent policy milestones
HB 2076 passes the House
On May 4, 2026, HB 2076 passes the House with a bipartisan vote.
Pennsylvania Selected for $14 Million EGS Demonstration Award
DOE selects a $14 million EGS demonstration project for award negotiations in April 2026.
HB 2076 advances out of committee
The Pennsylvania House Energy Committee votes the bill out with bipartisan support. Chair Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler: “Geothermal energy could provide clean, locally-sourced electricity to millions of Pennsylvania residents.”
2025
Bipartisan geothermal regulatory framework bill introduced
The Future of Geothermal in Pennsylvania published
Project InnerSpace and Penn State publish the report with authors across four PA institutions, delivering 23 targeted policy recommendations — the intellectual foundation for subsequent legislation.