Harrisburg, PA – This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) received a $14 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to pilot an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) demonstration project, advancing the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to deploy innovative, all-of-the above energy solutions.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to pilot an innovative solution to meet the energy demands of today and the future,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Geothermal systems could supply the clean energy needed for economic growth and long-term grid resilience for our communities. This is the type of ‘all-of-the-above’ energy solutions that Governor Shapiro has prioritized.”
The EGS pilot demonstration project will generate both electrical power and thermal energy for rural communities in Indiana County, in areas adjacent to legacy and active oil and gas development. The project will extract heat from subsurface geologic formations and transfer it to the surface using gas and fluid circulation in an EGS. This thermal energy will be used to generate electricity for the local power grid and provide direct-use heat for nearby homes and businesses.
In addition, the project will repurpose existing oil and gas infrastructure, avoiding additional land disturbance for renewable energy generation facilities. Through extending the life of infrastructure like wells, the project aims to catalyze a new geothermal energy industry — one in which the “heat beneath our feet” helps power American homes, businesses, and farms.
The pilot project will be an existing unconventional gas well operated by CNX Green Ventures. The specific well has not been selected.
DEP will serve as the project lead, in coordination with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Geological Survey. The project is supported by a world-class team of partners, including Gradient Geothermal Inc., Teverra, Inc., Lehigh University, Idaho National Laboratory, CNX Green Ventures, and Seequent.
Governor Josh Shapiro has made clear that protecting consumers and building new energy supply must go hand in hand. In January 2025, the Governor introduced his commonsense energy strategy, the “Lightning Plan,” to build new clean, reliable, and affordable energy projects across the Commonwealth. Through the Lightning Plan and the PA Permit Fast Track Program, the Governor is cutting permitting delays, accelerating responsible energy development, and positioning Pennsylvania — the nation’s second-largest energy producer and exporter — to build more power faster while keeping costs down. Independent analyses confirm these efforts will save consumers money, create jobs, and attract billions in new energy investment.
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