Geothermal Program Newsletter

April 2023 | Issue 1

Colorado's HB23-1272 Proposes Upward of $140 million in Geothermal Tax Credits

Colorado's proposed "Tax Policy That Advances Decarbonization" bill will have a historic impact by catalyzing electrification and adoption of clean energy technologies. The bill includes credits for geothermal electricity development and generation, and incentives for heat pump technologies, such as ground-source heat pumps and thermal energy networks.

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Colorado Energy Office is Seeking a Geothermal Energy Grant Program Administrator

The Colorado Energy Office has published a Request for Proposal seeking an experienced program administrator to assist in the implementation of the Geothermal Energy Grant Program and related technical support. The $12 million initiative was created by HB22-1381 and includes targeted grant funding to support single-structure ground source systems, thermal energy networks, and electricity generation projects. Please share this RFP widely.

View the RFP on BidNet

Colorado Geothermal Advisory Group Members Selected

Twenty members have been selected to serve on the Colorado Energy Office's Geothermal Energy Advisory Group. The Advisory Group will serve as an active learning community to identify opportunities and address challenges for the geothermal sector in Colorado. Stakeholders who weren't selected for the role will still be able to participate in a variety of ways, including potentially serving on subcommittees.

View Advisory Group Members

The Colorado Energy Office's geothermal program manager in front of a mountain lake.

Meet Bryce Carter, the Energy Office's Emerging Markets Program Manager for Geothermal

Howdy geothermal enthusiasts! Welcome to the first Colorado Energy Office (CEO) GEO Newsletter.

My first five months in this role has been a whirlwind of learning, networking, and fostering impactful policy. I appreciate the many of you who have shared your wisdom and insights so far. I can't wait to elevate your important stories, engage with pioneering projects, and support community and workforce resilience as we forge pathways toward decarbonization with geothermal technologies.

My career has been focused on facilitating a just transition toward a renewable energy future. I developed and implemented the Sierra Club's Colorado Ready for 100 Campaign, which built the momentum for Colorado's renewable energy commitments. I also led a dozen group purchasing programs with over 400 rooftop solar projects across Colorado with Solar United Neighbors. Applying this experience to help facilitate Colorado's emerging geothermal sector is truly an honor. I can't wait to work with you to build our collective impact.

Geothermal News & Resources

There are many articles, podcasts, funding opportunities, reports, videos, and other content being released all the time about geothermal sector information and trends. This section is intended to provide some key highlights of this content and is not necessarily endorsed nor affiliated with the CEO. If there is content you'd like to see featured in the next CEO GEO Newsletter, please email bryce.carter@state.co.us.

Save the date! The Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and the Center for the New Energy Economy will be holding an in-person geothermal energy dialogue for Northwest Colorado on Wednesday, May 17th in Steamboat Springs. For questions, contact Paul Bony at paul@yvsc.org.

The U.S. geothermal industry organization Geothermal Rising (GR) is establishing a set of Regional Interest Groups (RIGs), including one for Colorado. GR's mission is to 'connect the geothermal community and champion geothermal energy in the US and around the world.' Their main focus for Colorado's RIG is to facilitate building and connecting the geothermal community in the state. If you are interested in receiving correspondence related to virtual or in-person events, please email your name, company/organization, position, and preferred email for the distribution list to Jen Livermore at jlivermore@solsticegeothermal.com.

$450 million for clean energy demonstration projects on current and former mine land: The Department of Energy is seeking to fund projects with replicable pathways to address barriers to expanding clean energy on mine land, preserve natural and agricultural resources, and integrate clean energy facilities with local energy infrastructure. If your organization is thinking of pursuing this impactful funding in Colorado, please let us know, as CEO may be able to provide a letter of support.

Heat Beneath Our Feet: Renewable Energy Incentive Parity Webinar: The Western Governor's Association hosted geothermal energy experts, including the Colorado Energy Office, on a webinar to discuss strategies for incentivizing geothermal development.

Clean Energy 101: Geothermal Heat Pumps: The Rocky Mountain Institute published a new article highlighting the basics of the technology, its benefits, Inflation Reduction Act implications, and key opportunities.

What's going on with geothermal?: Volts Podcast's David Roberts interviewed Jamie Beard, founder of Project InnerSpace, to review the latest updates and trends of the geothermal industry.

If you got this email forwarded to you and would like to receive newsletters and updates about the Colorado Energy Office's geothermal program directly to your inbox, sign-up for the geothermal program contact list.