The Geothermal Rising Student Chapter at the University of North Dakota (UND) hosted an outreach event during the UND Welcome Weekend, on August 20, 2023, to raise awareness about geothermal energy, a renewable and sustainable source of heat and power. In collaboration with the Geothermal Rising Student Committee, the event aimed at bridging the knowledge gap and highlighting the crucial role of renewable resources in tackling climate change.

Approximately 50 students attended the event, engaging in various activities designed to provide a comprehensive "Geothermal 101" experience. One of the event's highlights was a series of poster presentations held around the Geology and Geological Engineering Department. These informative and engaging displays served as a visual guide to geothermal energy, illustrating its core principles, environmental benefits, and potential applications. What left a profound impression on the organizers was the considerable knowledge gap among attendees regarding geothermal energy and its manifold benefits. Geothermal energy, often overshadowed by more prevalent renewable energy sources like wind and solar, proved to be an underrepresented resource with gigantic potential.

The significance of this outreach initiative lay in its capacity to not only demonstrate the significant potential of geothermal energy in curtailing greenhouse gas emissions, but also in accentuating the role of student-led entities, exemplified by the Geothermal Rising chapter, as advocates for sustainable solutions. The event's resounding success underscored the vital role of education and outreach in propelling society toward a greener and more sustainable future. Moreover, the UND student chapter of Geothermal Rising is gearing up to organize another outreach activity in the upcoming months, further solidifying their commitment to educating the campus community and promoting the importance of sustainable energy sources. By continuing these initiatives, the Geothermal Rising chapter at UND is actively contributing to the university's mission of fostering environmentally conscious citizens and addressing the pressing energy challenges of our time.

The first issue of the returning Bulletin is complete and physical copies will be sent out in the coming weeks to our U.S. resident members! A digital copy is available in the GR library for those who are outside the distribution range. You can access it here.

For those newer to the community, the Bulletin was a regular publication distributed to GR members that was halted as an in-print publication in 2018 and ceased altogether in 2020. We are excited to be bringing this membership perk back to you!

Some of the highlights of this issue are:

• A recap of the inaugural Geothermal Day on Capitol Hill. Hosted by Geothermal Rising and consortium of partner organizations, the event was a smashing success that brought together 130 people from over five dozen companies and organizations and involved 60 meetings with congressional offices from across the country. 
• A look at Cornell University's Climate Action Plan and an update on the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO).
• An update on Geothermal Rising's partnership with The Discover Museum in creating a geothermal-themed museum exhibit that will be unveiled at the 2023 Geothermal Rising Conference (GRC).
• An introduction to Geothermal Rising's new executive director, Bryant Jones. Get to know Bryant and his vision for where the organization and industry are headed.
• Much, much more!

A big thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make this happen!

The Western Governors' Association, Chaired by Colorado Governor Polis, has spearheaded an initiative focused on geothermal technologies, culminating in the publication of the report: The Heat Beneath Our Feet. This report recognizes the vast potential of geothermal in the West, both for power generation and heat and cooling. This initiative involved rigorous stakeholder engagement which identified barriers to rapid geothermal expansion and deployment, and the report outlines vital policy recommendations to address these.  

Bryant Jones, Executive Director of Geothermal Rising comments: “decarbonizing residential and commercial buildings by using geothermal heating and cooling systems and geothermal heat pumps will significantly reduce carbon, save consumers money, create jobs, and improve public health. Hydrogen, direct air capture, lithium and critical mineral recovery, securing a stable and decarbonized electric grid, efficient and carbon-free air conditioning, and the push to electrify everything will only succeed with geothermal. It is exciting to see that Governor Polis and the WGA realize this fact.”

One vital recommendation in the WGA report is risk mitigation programs for geothermal well drilling and exploration. The United States created energy risk mitigation programs after the oil crises in the 1970s which resulted in significant growth for geothermal across the United States in the 1980s. The geothermal industry needs these programs restarted. Additionally, the WGA report recognizes the need for geothermal to be eligible for the same tax credits as other energy technologies such as deducting intangible drilling costs, defined as costs related to drilling that have no salvageable value, from the income tax of geothermal companies.

The WGA report also highlights the need for the geothermal permitting process to be streamlined on federal lands. Geothermal has the lowest lifecycle carbon footprint and the smallest environmental impact of all renewable energy technologies yet has more onerous federal permitting requirements even than that of oil and gas development. The WGA report recognizes this and recommends increasing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) staffing capacity to process geothermal permits, streamlining geothermal leasing, and granting a geothermal-specific categorical exclusion under NEPA for geothermal exploratory drilling on federal lands.

Demonstration and deployment funding is also recognized by the WGA report. Geothermal technologies are proven and have been cooling homes, heating schools, and generating electricity for decades in the United States. The geothermal industry needs deployment funding to commercialize and scale proven technology as well as demonstration funds to test new innovations.

About Geothermal Rising: Geothermal Rising (GR) is the largest and oldest geothermal non-profit organization in the world, founded in 1972. GR builds community and empowers the geothermal industry by aligning all geothermal heat source, direct use and power production applications. GR is the leading professional development and educational outreach resource for the geothermal industry. Find out more or join today:    https://www.geothermal.org/ 

Washington, DC, June 5-6, 2023 —  Geothermal Rising, the leading energy non-profit organization, launches its inaugural Geothermal Capitol Hill Day, along with co-hosts HEET, Project InnerSpace and the Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance, on June 5-6, 2023 at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel, including Hill meetings with over 50 congressional offices from Vermont to Texas to California. This event reaches lawmakers in our nation’s capital to support geothermal energy policies and increase the familiarization of geothermal technologies that allow us to “Use the Earth to Save the Earth." Geothermal is a technology ready for primetime today and offers the United States clean and renewable energy options anywhere and everywhere.

“The potential of geothermal in the United States, and globally, is massive. As an industry, we are aware of this and have been yelling it from any rooftop we can find, however we also need to make sure we have pointed conversations with those making future renewable energy goals and setting the stage for societal resilience,” urges Kelly Blake, President of Geothermal Rising.

Through Geothermal Capitol Hill Day, key leaders and C-level executives from government agencies, think tanks, congressional offices, environmental and climate NGOs, universities, the media, and investors will hear and learn directly from the geothermal industry. The geothermal community has aligned to participate in curated plenary sessions, presentations, and networking events focused on sharing knowledge and promoting the needs of the geothermal industry to policymakers and decision makers in Washington, DC. Geothermal topics of discussion include:

• The DOE and Geothermal Energy,
• Why Climate and Environmental NGOs Support Geothermal,
• Needed Manufacturing & Workforce Development,
• Leveraging Existing Skills and Knowledge of the Oil and Gas Workforce, and
• Environmental Justice, Equity, and Community Engagement.

Geothermal Rising’s message of “Using the Earth to Save the Earth” benefits local communities and businesses to provide unlimited clean, reliable, renewable power that creates jobs and improves quality of life. Hill Day participants will learn how to leverage the naturally abundant geothermal energy source that’s safe, clean, and reliable and stable.

“The geothermal industry has the ability and passion to address the climate crisis, leverage the existing skills and knowledge of hydrocarbon workforce, and do so in a just and equitable way. Part of our mission at Geothermal Rising is to familiarize the public, the media, policy makers, think tanks, climate and environmental NGOs, students, and textbook publishers about geothermal technologies and applications,” said Bryant Jones, PhD, Executive Director of Geothermal Rising.

“Geothermal can decarbonize the built environment with heating and cooling technologies, produce green hydrogen, and generate clean and renewable electricity. This industry has the solutions, passion, and technical expertise to make this happen.”

Geothermal Hill Day sponsors are Calpine, Clean Air Task Force, ClearPath, Cryq Energy, Halliburton, Nabors, SLB, and Ormat.

Organization: Geothermal Rising
Position Title: Government Affairs Policy Manager
Location: Remote

Organization Overview
Geothermal Rising (GR) is the largest and oldest geothermal membership organization in the world, founded in 1972. GR serves to build community and empower the geothermal industry by aligning all geothermal technologies and applications including geothermal ground source heat pumps, geothermal direct use applications, and geothermal power production. GR is a nonprofit educational association, community organizer, and research organization. GR actively seeks to amplify its role as a primary professional and educational association for the geothermal community and serve as a focal point for continuing professional development for its members and external audiences through its outreach, education, information transfer and education services. Geothermal Rising is a 501(c)(3) with a companion 501(c)(4) structure.

https://www.geothermal.org/

GR team members believe in the power of community and seek to build, empower, and sustain the
geothermal community.

Job Summary
GR’s Government Affairs Policy Manager will focus on project management and lead policy development of the geothermal industry supported by the vision of the GR Policy Committee. The Government Affairs Policy Manager will report to the GR Executive Director and will help advise the Executive Director, Chair of the GR Policy Committee, and chairs of the various subcommittees (e.g., appropriations, permitting, tax, regulatory, state policy, innovation) on key federal and state policy initiatives. The GA manager will develop and execute strategies to help the team run at the highest operational efficiencies. This person will interact with the broader GR team and geothermal industry to support the mission.
● Direct and lead meetings with members of the GR Policy Committee, coordinate action items and follow up across the entire GR organization. Track and maintain that all action items are executed.
● Coordinate and execute GR’s engagement in the Congressional Appropriations process. This will include composing formal communications to congressional staff including correspondence, meetings, and memos.
● Logistically set up, strategize on engagement, and participate in educational events for congressional offices and staff and generate memos and briefs for GR and GR Policy Committee members team ahead of the events.
● Amplify the GR Policy Committee by creating presentations materials, background briefs, thank you letters, memos and other written communications.
● Track and analyze congressional hearings, briefings and other relevant events and lead coordination with the GR Policy Committee. Update the team with relevant notes, questions, etc.
● Be the main point of project management and coordination for the GR Policy Committee making sure all items are logistically sound- for example managing ensuring that our entire target audience is included in upcoming events.
● Prepare the agenda for the monthly GR Policy Committee meetings and draft the quarterly report on GR Policy Committee activities to the GR Board.
● Enable the GR Executive Director, GR Policy Committee Chair and subcommittees to maintain organization and follow through on policy impacting the geothermal industry.
● Build, update, and track geothermal energy projects by congressional districts and states.
● Manage the submission of lobbying disclosures and other compliance reporting as needed.
● Monitor internal editorial calendar to flag relevant content for GR to share with Congress, state governments, and other external stakeholders for engagement on key priorities. Coordinate lists and content for distribution to various relevant audiences.
● Support GR marketing and community outreach efforts in execution for upcoming events hosted and sponsored by GR or GR members, including compiling guest lists, draft invitations, checking guests in/out, setting-up, flagging compliance or related ethics items, etc.
● Support GR team members at conferences and events
● Moderate travel is expected

Preferred Qualifications

● Six plus years of blended experience in legislative processes and energy policy; familiarity with legislative and/or grassroots advocacy; familiarity with membership organizations.
● Experience in government relations, public policy, federal agency, Capitol Hill, clean and renewable energy.
● Excellent communicator, including strong writing skills.
● Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google equivalents.
● Ability and willingness to work nontraditional hours based on events.
● A professional and personal commitment to the mission of Geothermal Rising.
● Bachelor’s degree

Capabilities

● Service Focus – Place emphasis on creating team and guest loyalty by continually enhancing the office experience. Capacity to identify and understand the needs of the team, manage expectations, and prioritize meeting and exceeding those needs.
● Accountability – Take responsibility for your own performance and accept full ownership of issues, problems, and opportunities, regardless of the source.
● Composure and Resiliency – Ability to deal effectively with pressure, maintain focus and intensity, and remain optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Ability and propensity to recover quickly from setbacks, rejections, and conflicts and to maintain self control in the face of challenges.
● Professionalism – Set high standards and serve as role models for work performance, ethical conduct, and respect for others. Consistently conduct yourself in a manner that is aligned with Geothermal Rising values and within the guidelines and best practices of office management.
● Time Management – Focus on completing all work tasks in a timely manner, while remaining responsive enough to react to competing demands and shifting priorities. Able to manage multiple responsibilities while being organized, keeping on top of important time sensitive tasks, and performing all work accurately.
● Self-starter – Anticipate and aim to proactively address hurdles. Seek to identify opportunities for GR Policy Committee engagement and be proactive to avoid a reactive work culture.
● Communicating – Provide the information required by others in a concise, direct, and unambiguous way.

Values

● Teamwork: Be fun, fast, collaborative, and supportive.
● Dedication: Be here because you want to change the world.
● Ownership: Think and act like an owner.
● Adaptability: Be humble and agile.
● Integrity: Believe individual and organizational credibility is everything.
● Curiosity: Voracious learner eager to engage with the substantive details of our work.

Compensation & Benefits

● Competitive salary commensurate with experience and location ($115,000 to $125,000)
● Attend GR conferences and events
● Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance
● Employer covers 100% of employee insurance premiums
● Health savings account for medical expenses
● Retirement Benefit offering an employer matching contribution of employee contributions $1 for $1 on the first 5% of pay you contribute
● No vacation policy - take what you need whenever workflow allows
● Computer and Zoom VOIP phone
● Remote work environment
● Twelve paid holidays (e.g., Day after Thanksgiving, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Memorial Day)

Closing Date of Position: Open Until Filled

Please send resume and cover letter to Anita Collins at anita@geothermal.org.

At Geothermal Rising, we value a diverse and inclusive workforce. Community and service underscore our values as we seek to equitably and justly transition to a clean energy economy. Geothermal Rising is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Reno, Nevada and Houston, Texas (February 14, 2023) — GR, Geothermal Rising, is pleased to announce our next Executive Director. Coming from a professional background that includes academia, government, civil society, and business, Bryant Jones brings years of experience and leadership to help the geothermal industry welcome and advance our next chapter.

GR is a community that advocates for the growth and deployment of geothermal energy. The non-profit is a renewable energy think tank designed to educate and inform audiences about the value and benefits of geothermal energy for heating and cooling as well as electricity generation. Founded in 1972, GR now supports a community of 7,000 people and dozens of member companies operating in the geothermal industry.

GR champions all geothermal energy technologies and applications such as thermal energy networks, hydrothermal systems, geothermal heat pumps, supercritical systems, engineered geothermal systems, closed-loop systems, and many more. Geothermal technologies are clean, renewable, transition the existing oil and gas workforce into the clean energy economy, and can decarbonize economic sectors such as agriculture, commercial and residential buildings, the electrical grid, manufacturing, and industrial heat with zero-carbon heating, cooling, and electricity generation.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Bryant Jones as the incoming Executive Director of Geothermal Rising.  Bryant has the vision, experience, and capabilities to take this organization to new heights as we re-imagine geothermal advocacy in the United States and position geothermal as a major player in the quest to decarbonize heating, cooling and electricity sectors.  His background in policy and the private equity space, combined with his open mind, and inclusive attitude, make him the ideal candidate to lead our organization into the future,” said Jeanine Vany, Energy Advocate Director on the GR Board of Directors and Executive Vice President at Eavor Technologies.

Bryant recently co-authored a policy white paper on Empowering the Geothermal Earthshot through the Federation of American Scientists with Peter Tait and co-authored and co-edited the landmark report published by Project InnerSpace and the University of Texas at Austin on the Future of Geothermal in Texas with Jamie Beard. 

“The selection of Bryant to lead Geothermal Rising in this period of fast change and transition in the geothermal industry speaks to his vision for the role of geothermal in our energy mix in the coming decades. It's time to go big or go home for geothermal, and cohesive partnerships across industry are critical for geothermal to scale. I look forward to working with Bryant in the coming months to build on and realize the vision of geothermal anywhere,” said Jamie Beard, Executive Director of Project InnerSpace.

Bryant Jones is a policy and energy scholar who has spent the past five years researching at the nexus of policy studies, science and technology studies, and energy transition studies. His research at Boise State University explores how energy advocacy coalitions frame narratives and establish field rules and boundaries as they seek to gain attention and be placed on policy agendas. Bryant has 15 years of policy experience at federal, state, and local levels of government. He served in roles at the White House Office of Management, U.S. Department of State, on Capitol Hill, and is a National Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project. 

“Geothermal can decarbonize industry, manufacturing, commercial and residential buildings, agriculture, and the electric grid. It is the solution policymakers, investors, and the public are searching for to solve the climate crisis. I look forward to building on the successes of this proven technology and growing the geothermal community as we use the Earth to save the Earth,” said Bryant Jones.

Bryant resides in Boise, Idaho with his spouse and three children. He is passionate about skiing, fly fishing, and the clean energy transformation.

You may reach Bryant at bryant@geothermal.org.

I would just like to check in with you all after our recent change in leadership. We'd like to assure you all that the Geothermal Rising Conference, coming up on August 28-31st, 2022, will be going off without a hitch! With an increase in papers and posters from 2021 and an interest in Expo spots from an assortment of different, new companies, this upcoming GRC, along with the strong momentum within the geothermal community itself, is surely going to be one to remember. Is your company looking for a booth at the Expo to help network your company to the geothermal industry? Are you looking to register for the conference itself? Find information here: https://grc2022.mygeoenergynow.org/

Along with this increase in participation in GRC, we are really excited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this association! We are going to celebrate in numerous ways through the remainder of the year, but one way for our membership to get involved is to submit an entry to the photo contest. You can find more information here: https://www.geothermal.org/our-impact/geothermal-rising-50th-anniversary-storytelling-contest

Lastly, the staff, board of directors and numerous volunteers of Geothermal Rising continue to work hard to educate and promote geothermal energy within the US and abroad. A few key initiatives that we are focused on are:

• Furthering geothermal education to the masses. How do we reach those outside of the energy sector to promote geothermal?
• How can we improve the impact of Geothermal Rising outside of the annual conference? 
• What is the membership looking for from Geothermal Rising that they are currently not receiving? 

Thank you for your continued support of Geothermal Rising! If you have any questions, concerns, comments, etc. please reach out, we would love to hear from you.

Brian manages Geothermal Rising's website and library database, and is your primary contact for any library services. He also conducts industry research and formats and edits many of our publications, as well as serving as staff liaison to several of GR's committees.

Brian is a professional librarian with an M.A. and an MLIS, and had held a variety of library and archive management positions prior to joining Geothermal Rising.

Vicki has been an association professional specializing in meeting and event management for nearly 25 years planning meetings for a wide variety of associations including healthcare, scientific, trade and other not-for-profit environments. Prior to joining Association Headquarters, Vicki worked for the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) where she led HDA’s successful efforts to reimagine their annual conferences and seminars increasing attendee, sponsor and exhibitor participation and overall attendee satisfaction.  She joined AH in 2019 and has been the meeting manager for the Project Management Institute Washington DC Chapter, Geothermal Rising, the National Airduct Cleaners Association and the Society For Biomaterials. She is working towards her Certified Meeting Professional and Digital Event Strategist designations. A consummate professional, she is committed to delivering superior programming and events that add value to the organization while creating a lasting, memorable experience for participants.

Dana is your point of contact on the Geothermal Rising team for Corporate and Policy Committee memberships.  In addition, she'll work with you, to help your organization achieve its marketing goals through sponsorship, exhibit, and advertising opportunities. 

Dana's skill set and experience working with non-profits and trade groups help ensure that Geothermal Rising is offering our industry partners comprehensive marketing and member-based solutions.  In her role as Industry Relations Manager, she'll work to ensure your partnership with GR meets and exceeds your expectations.

Graham manages Geothermal Rising's member database, assists on many facets of the annual Geothermal Rising Conference, and serves as the primary contact for all member services.  Graham has worked in member services for several years, most recently for a New Jersey energy trade association.

Earth’s heat is ubiquitous. It’s everywhere below our feet at all times. All we need to do is drill deep enough and we’ll access a limitless supply of energy, available anywhere and at any time.

That makes geothermal technologies very versatile. We can use that subsurface heat energy for power generation, direct heat use for communities, heavy industry, and commercial buildings, and geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling residential properties and businesses.

When we consider this holistic view of using Earth’s heat then the possibilities become extraordinary, unique, and very exciting. It means that as we transition to a carbon-neutral world over the next few decades then geothermal energy will play a critical linchpin role.

The realization of that role has led to an acceleration of activity in the geothermal market that includes:

• research, development, and demonstration of new technologies;
• entrepreneurs and startup companies receiving more investment monies; and,
• new partnerships being developed between governments, academia, and industry.

The geothermal community is a part of the wider renewables community. We need to work together as a renewables community to secure a successful transition to a clean and sustainable energy ecosystem for the good of our planet, our civilization, our economies, and our health and wellbeing across society.

The energy transition requires the following four actions to minimize the impact of climate change and build out an energy ecosystem that will work in practice:

1. electrify everything we can in our daily lives;
2. deliver zero-carbon, reliable, and sustainable electricity;
3. optimize the efficiency of all our energy use; and,
4. develop robust and long-term carbon and energy storage.

And we need to do these things with haste, which means we need to run all these actions in parallel and accelerate deployment in earnest. If we examine the opportunities for geothermal energy within the energy transition then we can understand how it will play that critical linchpin role.

As we build the technologies that enable scaling and accessibility of geothermal energy anywhere, at any time, then we have a huge opportunity to create impactful social and environmental justice due to Earth’s heat being widespread and technologically versatile.

Its 24/7 firm clean energy source provides reliability, resiliency, sustainability, and efficiency to a power grid that also uses intermittent energy sources and storage.

It will allow our power delivery to efficiently adapt to changing patterns of demand (diurnally and annually) as we electrify everything in our lives and robustly work through changing weather patterns and extreme weather events.

That same firm clean energy source will provide optimized heating and cooling efficiencies at different scales from an individual home to heavy industrial use.

With the help of an integrated and systemic energy policy that optimizes the use of all renewable technologies together then the decarbonization of heating and cooling, along with electrification and storage, will allow us to realistically make it to a 100% clean and renewable society.

Elements of the Strategic Plan
● Vision = What we want for the world.
● Mission = How we will achieve our vision.
● Goals = Our general long-term aspirations for the organization.
● Objectives = How we will achieve our goals in the given time frame.
 

Vision
A brighter future for Earth and all its inhabitants, powered by the planet itself.
 

Mission
To connect the geothermal community and champion geothermal energy in the United States and
around the world.
 

Goals
● Broaden awareness of geothermal energy and its important role in the energy transformation.
● Build positive public sentiment towards geothermal energy as a clean, renewable, and
ubiquitous energy source.
● Empower the geothermal community to advance through, technological innovation, education
and collaboration with other sectors
● Expand the demand for and use of geothermal energy.
 

Objectives
1. Raise Public Awareness of Geothermal Energy – increase the visibility of geothermal energy
through marketing and communications activities that inform and educate across a wide spectrum of organizations, agencies, and people.
2. Champion Innovation – serve as a platform for inspiring, encouraging and sharing new technologies that will accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy in an agnostic way.
3. Build an Enabling Environment for Geothermal Energy – work with government and regulatory agencies to incentivize demand and adoption of geothermal energy.
4. Expand GR’s Activities to Grow the Geothermal Industry – build a strong membership base of
individuals and corporations and arm them with the tools they need to engage outside the geothermal community.
5. Maintain Financial Sustainability – operate with a budget surplus through self-supporting activities.
6. Enhance Internal Processes – improve the professional quality of our products and services and integrate the functions of the GR team.