Senate Bill 23-60, which would establish a legislative management study on geothermal energy, received a do-pass recommendation from the House Agriculture Committee after hearings featuring state geologists, energy developers and agriculture advocates.

The bill, introduced in the committee by Sen. Jim Hogan, would direct legislative study of whether and how North Dakota could develop geothermal resources. "Senate Bill 23 60 is a bill that I was asked to introduce by a constituent who's here today," Hogan said, describing the measure as a "shall consider study resolution" intended to examine geothermal's potential.

Supporters told the committee North Dakota has geological advantages for deep geothermal development and that repurposing inactive oil and gas wells could lower costs. Paul Jensen, a Fargo small-business owner testifying in favor, told the committee the bill "aims to pave the road for industries interested in and engaged in leveraging geothermal energy with existing power generators and to feed power data centers in addition to boosting agricultural productivity." Jensen and others asserted that repurposed wells could produce 2–5 megawatts each and that converting a fraction of inactive wells could yield gigawatts of capacity.

Technical witnesses described existing state data and nearby projects. Ned Krueger of the North Dakota Geological Survey said the agency has logged high temperatures in Williston Basin formations and noted the NDGS issued a new administrative-code chapter on geothermal in 2020. Krueger described a Canadian project near the U.S. border with measured water temperatures in the 200s Fahrenheit and plans for phased construction to produce 5 to 25 megawatts.

Representatives of utilities and industry backed the study. Dennis Pathroff, representing Power Companies of North Dakota, said member utilities "are committed to exploring all forms of energy production, including geothermal," and offered company expertise for a state study. Jessica Eagle Bluestone of Geothermal Rising estimated a 10-megawatt plant could cost "just shy of, like, a hundred million dollars" today but predicted costs would decline with more in-state experience. Monessa Alamouti, a North Dakota startup CEO with a PhD in geophysics, urged inclusion of agricultural applications, noting geothermal-heated greenhouses and direct-heat processing can substantially reduce energy costs.

Committee members asked about infrastructure, plugs in abandoned wells, and interactions with other subsurface uses. Jensen and Krueger said many wells could be reentered or augmented, and that geothermal generation could help stabilize variable wind and solar output on the grid. Witnesses identified federal funding programs and research initiatives—including the DOE’s enhanced geothermal initiatives and Wells of Opportunity funding—that could support early projects.

After questions, Representative Goveridge moved a do-pass recommendation and Representative Hoberson seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed; the committee recorded that the bill will proceed with a do-pass recommendation for further legislative management study (the roll-call breakdown was not specified in the committee transcript).

If enacted, the study would invite technical testimony and assess economic, agricultural and grid-integration issues. Committee members noted the study is strictly informational: it would solicit experts and produce recommendations for future legislative or funding action.

Supporters asked the committee to include agricultural uses, greenhouse heating and value-added processing in the study scope. Witnesses recommended the study evaluate repurposing of inactive wells, required drilling and surface infrastructure, transmission injection points and workforce readiness.

The measure now moves through the legislature with a do-pass committee recommendation; the study—if scheduled by legislative management—would return findings to the Legislature for further consideration.

Ending — The committee’s recorded action advances an informational study rather than funding a specific project. Proponents said the study will help the state assess whether geothermal could provide stable generation and new agricultural and economic opportunities for rural North Dakota.