42 U.S.C. § 17204 — High cost region geothermal energy grant program

(a) Definitions: (1) "Eligible entity" means (A) a utility; (B) an electric cooperative; (C) a State; (D) a political subdivision of a State; (E) an Indian tribe; or (F) a Native corporation. (2) "High-cost region" means a region where the average cost of electricity or heat is more than 150 percent of the national average retail cost, as the Secretary decides. (b) Program: The Secretary must use available funds to give grants to eligible entities for the activities in subsection (c). (c) Eligible activities: For a geothermal project in a high-cost region, an entity may only use grant funds to (1) do a feasibility study — covering exploration, geochemical testing, geomagnetic surveys, geologic data gathering, baseline environmental studies, well drilling, resource characterization, permitting, and economic analysis; (2) pay for design and engineering costs; or (3) demonstrate and promote commercial use of related geothermal technology. (d) Cost sharing: The cost-sharing rules in section 16352 apply to any project funded under this section. (e) Authorization of appropriations: Out of funds authorized under section 17202, Congress authorized $5,000,000 a year for this section for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.