Geothermal Resources

The Department of the Interior Departmental Offices disburses geothermal revenue-sharing funds to counties and states under Assistance Listing 15.434, with allocations made automatically based on federal geothermal leasing and production activity on public lands.

This program operates fundamentally differently from discretionary grant programs: it is a mandatory revenue-sharing mechanism with no application process. The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) verifies geothermal mineral revenue collections, approves statutory allocations (50 percent to states, 25 percent to counties), and directs Treasury to disburse funds directly to eligible county and state governments. Only states and counties may receive geothermal funds; private-sector entities do not participate. Eligible recipients have sole discretion in fund use, subject to enabling legislation that requires prioritization for subdivisions socially or economically impacted by mineral development, including planning, construction and maintenance of public facilities, and provision of public services.

Because this program distributes revenue automatically tied to real-time energy production on federal lands rather than through a competitive grant solicitation, the traditional indicators of grant program activity—application due dates, competitive opportunities, and discretionary award cycles—do not apply. Funding receipt is entirely contingent on geothermal development activity within a county's or state's jurisdiction and the resulting mineral lease revenue. The program's structure means that participation is passive: entities in geothermal regions receive allocations without submitting applications or competing for funding. No grant opportunities are posted; no application deadlines exist.

Organizations considering this program should first determine whether their county or state has geothermal development on federal lands generating revenue subject to sharing. If so, funds will flow automatically without BD effort. If geothermal activity is absent or minimal in your jurisdiction, this program will not be a funding source. The predictable, recurring nature of revenue-based disbursements makes this suitable for long-term community infrastructure and service planning in active geothermal regions, but it is not an option for applicants in areas without qualifying federal geothermal leases.