Unlocking next‑generation geothermal: A state policy playbook for the American West

The policy brief outlines how western US states can unlock next-generation geothermal energy—which uses advanced drilling and stimulation to access deeper heat sources than conventional hydrothermal systems—to provide carbon-free firm capacity. It identifies five critical policy levers: improving subsurface data availability, streamlining regulatory processes, providing early-stage financing, integrating projects into transmission and procurement frameworks, and sustaining R&D innovation. The author emphasizes that regional coordination among states is essential to overcome transmission constraints and build investor confidence.

• Next-generation geothermal differs from conventional geothermal by targeting deeper zones and employing advanced drilling, stimulation, and fluid injection, allowing for power generation in regions previously considered impossible.
• Private investment in early-stage geothermal is hindered by high upfront costs, long development timelines, and uncertainty regarding permitting and transmission access before subsurface resources are fully characterized.
• The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) identifies five primary policy levers that determine the success of geothermal deployment: subsurface data availability, regulatory processes, early-stage financing, infrastructure access, and innovation.
• Industry stakeholders identify the alignment of geothermal deployment with utility procurement and transmission planning as the primary bottleneck for development.

APA

Garth, A., & West, D. (2026). Unlocking next‑generation geothermal: A state policy playbook for the American West. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2026/05/unlocking-next-generation-geothermal-state-policy-playbook-american-west/

Chicago

Garth, Ann, and Dan West. Unlocking next‑generation geothermal: A state policy playbook for the American West. Clean Air Task Force, 2026. https://www.catf.us/2026/05/unlocking-next-generation-geothermal-state-policy-playbook-american-west/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Garth |first1=Ann |last2=West |first2=Dan |title=Unlocking next‑generation geothermal: A state policy playbook for the American West |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=18 May 2026 |url=https://www.catf.us/2026/05/unlocking-next-generation-geothermal-state-policy-playbook-american-west/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{garth2026unlocking, author = {Garth, Ann and West, Dan}, title = {{Unlocking next‑generation geothermal: A state policy playbook for the American West}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://www.catf.us/2026/05/unlocking-next-generation-geothermal-state-policy-playbook-american-west/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }