REFERENCE TITLE: supporting geothermal energy

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HCR 2057

Introduced by

Representative Martinez

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

supporting next-generation geothermal energy in arizona.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, Arizona's energy landscape is changing as this state becomes a preeminent location for semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, data centers and other high-load growth industries; and

Whereas, Arizona's utilities anticipate that providing electricity to Arizona's growing population and economy will require new generation resources; and

Whereas, the Legislature has expressed support for traditional and next-generation energy resources; and

Whereas, technology advancements in the oil and gas sector have laid the foundation for significant advances in next-generation geothermal technology; and

Whereas, an analysis of Arizona's subsurface temperatures shows significant untapped potential in the development of next-generation geothermal resources; and

Whereas, according to the United States Department of Energy's 2023 Geothermal Earthshot analysis, geothermal in Arizona has the potential to develop at least 10 gigawatts of geothermal energy and become one of the nation's most significant geothermal producers; and

Whereas, geothermal energy has the potential to be a baseload, reliable, carbon-free resource for Arizona; and

Whereas, future geothermal development in Arizona will fall under the regulatory authority of multiple state agencies, including the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Water Resources and the Corporation Commission; and

Whereas, multiagency regulation can be an obstacle for innovative resource development; and

Whereas, next-generation geothermal energy would bring a new reliable resource to this state and support Arizona's economic competitiveness through safe and reliable power.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1. That the Members of the Legislature support the development of a geothermal permitting roadmap that standardizes permitting guidance for the development of next-generation geothermal resources across Arizona's regulatory agencies.

2. That the Members of the Legislature support the alignment of existing agency rules related to geothermal development to make permitting predictable for next-generation projects.

3. That the Members of the Legislature support innovative next-generation energy resource development to support Arizona's advanced manufacturing economy.