RRC reaches new energy milestone with first permitted geothermal well
Feb. 26—AUSTIN — The Railroad Commission of Texas has issued its first permit for a deep geo-pressured, geothermal well to Sage Geosystems in Atascosa County.
Located south of San Antonio in the Anaconcho Formation, this well permit marks a significant milestone in Texas' energy sector as the first deep geo-pressured, geothermal permit issued since the Texas Legislature transferred regulatory authority for these types of wells from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the RRC, a news release said.
The well will be utilized in electricity generation by the San Miguel Electric Cooperative to serve its customers. Sage Geosystems has entered into a land use agreement with the cooperative to develop a three-megawatt Geopressured Geothermal System energy storage facility.
"Texas has been at the forefront of energy regulation and innovation for more than a century, and this transition has streamlined the permitting process for geothermal wells and reinforced the Commission's leadership in emerging energy technologies," RRC Executive Director Wei Wang said in the release. "We remain dedicated to adapting our regulatory approach to facilitate the growth of new energy technologies while upholding the highest standards of environmental and public safety as we have done for more than a century."
The RRC's regulatory framework ensures that all geothermal projects adhere to rigorous environmental and safety standards while helping develop this emerging industry which has substantial skill and technology overlap with oil and gas industry.
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Opinion - Trump can put geothermal in a position to power America's future
The Trump administration is getting it right when it comes to the importance of American energy dominance and bolstering domestic energy production. And, with its National Energy Emergency executive order, geothermal energy is getting the attention it deserves. That's why we, as conservatives, are united behind an 'all-of-the-above-and-below' energy approach. Utilizing the full range of energy options we have here at home will bolster American energy manufacturing, creating economic boosts in communities across the country and strengthening our national security. Geothermal energy is a small but mighty part of our nation's energy mix. In 2023, this unique energy source generated only 3.9 gigawatts (GW) of electricity onto America's electric grid — just 0.4 percent of our total electricity. This underutilized technology taps into heat stored in the earth to generate electricity or provide heating and cooling for a variety of applications. Geothermal energy is reliable, resilient and affordable nearly 100 percent of the time. Traditionally, these technologies are only useful in areas with easily accessible heat resources, such as those in the American West or in Iceland. However, by adopting innovations from the oil and gas industry — such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling — geothermal hot spots are much more accessible. Some estimates suggest that these innovations could eventually unlock up to 5,000 GW of energy right here in the U.S. That's more than four times the capacity of all current U.S. power plants combined. Today, geothermal energy's benefits are already making a difference for many Americans, especially in Texas. Since 2010, almost every school in Denton Independent School District has used geothermal cooling systems to improve air conditioning efficiency, lowering energy costs in the hot Texas summer. That's making high-quality education more of a reality for students. The military also sees value in geothermal energy. Last September, the U.S. Air Force signed a deal with Sage Geosystems, a Houston-based startup company, to construct a demonstration project that utilizes geothermal energy for energy storage in Starr County, Texas. If successful, the Air Force may develop a full-scale project at Ellington Field Joint Air Reserve Base in Houston, providing the reliable energy needed for America's military installations. Although geothermal energy is on the cusp of significant growth, it is not widely known by the public. That makes our mission simple: educating Americans about the untapped potential of this critical resource, promoting policies that unlock American resources and combatting policies that reduce investments into domestic energy research, development and deployment. Last month, CRES Forum and Project Innerspace co-hosted an event on Capitol Hill to do just that. The event, which was open to the public, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, advocates and academics to highlight the opportunity presented by advanced geothermal technologies. During the event, we shared our strong support for geothermal energy and provided a conservative case for the technology. We were also joined by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Rep. August Pfluger (another Texan) and Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), who all voiced strong support as well. But talk is cheap, and securing federal support that incentivizes private investment is not an easy task. That's why we pledge to work with the president and Congress to enact meaningful policies that lower energy prices, promote domestic energy production and achieve energy dominance. And with new, private investments into geothermal projects exceeding $1 billion since September 2022, we have a leg up to advance President Trump's robust energy agenda. Not to mention, this will benefit Americans nationwide, from our hometowns of Virginia Beach, Va., to Friendswood, Texas, and beyond. Now, with renewed conservative leadership in the White House, American energy dominance isn't just possible, it's inevitable. But we must play our cards right. Advancing federal energy policy using an 'all-of-the-above-and-below' approach will allow us to bolster domestic energy production, curb our reliance on foreign entities, lower energy costs and create good paying jobs nationwide. And a kicker for those skeptical? We can utilize geothermal with essentially no emissions. Sounds like a win-win. Heather Reams is president of CRES, a nonprofit that seeks conservative solutions to address America's energy, economic and environmental security. Randy Weber represents the 14th District in Texas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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