Geothermal Energy: The Renewable Trump Still Backs
Published · 4 min read
While the Trump administration has rolled back many clean energy rules and pushed fossil fuels like oil and coal, there is one renewable energy source it has not targeted — and may even support: geothermal power.
Unlike solar and wind, which have faced criticism and barriers under President Trump, geothermal continues to attract support from both sides of politics, and companies are expanding work on this underground heat technology.
What Makes Geothermal Different?
Geothermal energy uses heat from deep inside the Earth to generate electricity or heat buildings. Water is injected deep underground and heated by hot rocks, creating steam that can turn turbines and make power.
Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Runs 24/7: Unlike wind or solar, geothermal can produce electricity all day and night.
- Reliable: It does not depend on weather like solar or wind.
- Clean: It releases very little pollution compared with fossil fuels.
Because of these strengths, some Republican leaders and energy officials back geothermal projects, even as other renewables face political pushback.
Why Trump Has Not Targeted Geothermal
When President Trump returned to office, he relaxed many environmental and clean energy rules and prioritized fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal. But geothermal power was not criticized or removed from support, and in some cases has gotten direct backing.
- In early 2025, Trump’s administration declared geothermal as part of U.S. energy policy, a notable exception among clean energy sources.
- Federal tax credits and incentives from earlier energy laws — including those from the previous Biden era — were kept in place for geothermal projects.
- Geothermal has bipartisan support in Congress and among governors, helping it avoid major cuts.
This political backing comes partly because geothermal shares technology and skills with the oil and gas industry — companies that drill deep underground can apply similar methods to reach hot rocks for geothermal power.
New Geothermal Projects Moving Ahead
Despite being a small part of U.S. electricity now — less than 1% of total power — geothermal energy is growing.
Recent developments include:
- Fervo Energy has approval to develop 2 GW of geothermal power in Utah, a project that could power hundreds of thousands of homes and start producing electricity by 2026.
- Sage Geothermal and Ormat Technologies are working together to expand geothermal output with new methods that could boost power production by up to 50 % compared with older technology.
- Some geothermal companies have signed deals to supply clean power to big tech firms like Google, Meta, and other data centers.
These projects show that geothermal energy is moving from small, regional power plants toward larger commercial operations.
Growth and Future Potential
Although geothermal is still a minor part of U.S. energy, experts think it could grow quickly with the right policies and technology:
| Feature | Potential Impact |
| 24/7 clean energy | Helps balance solar and wind that only work sometimes. |
| Bipartisan political support | Makes geothermal less vulnerable to policy attacks. |
| Oil & gas technology overlap | Helps development using existing drilling expertise. |
| New drilling methods | Could unlock energy in places beyond traditional hot springs. |
Some energy analysts estimate that geothermal capacity could more than double in the coming years, with more than 1 GW of new power online by 2028, if investments continue.
Why This Matters
In the broader context of U.S. energy policy:
- Many Trump policies have slowed wind and solar development, including stopping offshore wind projects and removing support for some clean energy planning.
- At the same time, geothermal has escaped criticism and gained support, making it a rare renewable that aligns with the administration’s priorities.
- This could help diversify the U.S. energy mix, especially as demand grows from things like data centers and artificial intelligence that need reliable electricity.
Supporters say geothermal could be part of a broader push to make U.S. energy strong, clean, and locally sourced, even if other renewables face political challenges.
Bottom Line
While solar, wind, and battery storage have faced resistance or shifting policy under the Trump administration, geothermal energy remains one of the few renewable sources that hasn’t been targeted and may even benefit from government support. Its ability to provide constant, clean electricity, bipartisan backing in Congress, and technical connections to the oil and gas sector have all helped it stay in favor — and could make it a growing part of America’s energy future.
