The oil & gas workforce could form the backbone of next-gen geothermal. (Grist)
Geothermal heat pumps used in millions of US homes demand drilling up to 500 feet into the ground. By digging thousands of feet deeper, we could reach sizzling rocks up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit—unlocking enough energy for data centers and entire communities. That will require lots of people power, but the US geothermal industry has only shown modest growth recently.
A perfect pivot: To reach these promising depths, startups want to dig into an untapped resource: Around ~300K US workers already have the drilling skills, many hailing from the oil and gas industries. Now, they can mine for heat instead of hydrocarbons.
The Trump administration has prioritized the geothermal industry over wind and solar, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act preserved its tax credits through 2033. Advocates have courted the admin for further support, even hosting an event called Make American Geothermal More Abundant (MAGMA).