Direct the Department of Energy to accelerate research, development, and commercialization of next-generation geothermal and closed-loop geothermal systems.

Pat Harrigan · North Carolina · Republican

policy impact 0.62 specificity 0.91 extraction confidence 97%

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Occurrences

Evidence

Harrigan said he joined Rep. Andrea Salinas in co-leading the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, a bill directing DOE to accelerate research, development, and commercialization of next-generation geothermal and closed-loop geothermal systems. The release says the bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and requires a future FORGE site capability for supercritical and closed-loop testing.

Official campaign-style and member-office statement showing Harrigan took concrete legislative action to pursue the geothermal promise by introducing the relevant bill.

partial same_term A for effort

Congressman Pat Harrigan Introduces Legislation to Unlock Next-Generation Geothermal Energy | Congressman Pat Harrigan
primary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 98%

Contest this evidence item

The House Science Committee page says H.R. 8790, the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, was favorably reported to the House by voice vote. It also says the bill directs DOE to support research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities related to next-generation geothermal and closed-loop geothermal systems.

Official committee action confirms the measure advanced beyond introduction during the lookback window, but it was not enacted into law.

partial same_term A for effort

Full Committee Markup of H.R. 8748, H.R. 8790, and H.R. 7129
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 99%

Contest this evidence item

The House FloorCast listing shows H.R. 8790, sponsored by Rep. Harrigan, was introduced on May 13, 2026 and referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Natural Resources. The current status shown is only introduced/referred, with no enacted result.

Official House status tracker shows the bill was introduced and referred, but not yet passed or enacted as of the lookback period.

unresolved same_term A for effort

House FloorCast
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 93%

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Assessments

never same_term A for effort

Harrigan materially advanced the promised policy by introducing/co-leading H.R. 8790, the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, and the measure was favorably reported by the House Science Committee. However, the promised outcome was to direct DOE to accelerate R&D and commercialization, which requires enactment or executive action. The evidence shows committee progress but no final passage or enacted DOE directive, so the promise was not delivered during the same federal term despite a serious legislative attempt.

provider codex_cli · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 96%