The "Hot Rock Act" seeks to advance the production of hot dry rock geothermal energy in the United States by establishing comprehensive programs for research, development, and demonstration. It defines key terms such as "hot dry rock," "next-generation geothermal system," and "supercritical geothermal resource" to clarify the scope of its initiatives.

The bill mandates the Secretary of Energy to create several grant programs. These include funding for research into high-temperature completions, development of high-temperature and high-pressure sensing equipment, and studies on supercritical fluid properties. A significant provision is the establishment of a Frontier Observatory and Testing Site for hot dry rock geothermal technology, designed for testing and demonstrating projects from drilling to power production.

Further, the bill supports broader research, development, and demonstration activities to address challenges in commercializing hot dry rock geothermal projects, such as subsurface infrastructure for supercritical fluids and advanced deep drilling methods. A milestone-based development grant program will incentivize eligible entities to achieve specific technical advancements, including reaching supercritical temperatures and harnessing geothermal energy.

Beyond R&D, the legislation addresses critical supporting areas. The Secretary of the Interior is directed to establish programs for risk research and monitoring, focusing on seismicity, rock mechanics, and groundwater in areas affected by hot dry rock development. This includes mapping deep basement rocks across the U.S.

To ensure a skilled workforce, the Secretary of Labor will establish a workforce cross-training program with institutions of higher education. This program prioritizes individuals from the oil and gas industry and energy communities, offering education and apprenticeships in relevant engineering and geoscience fields. Finally, the bill aims to strengthen federal authorization for hot dry rock geothermal projects by providing technical assistance to land management agencies and amending the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to include geothermal exploration under categorical exclusions, thereby streamlining permitting processes.