PA HB2076

Establishes the Geothermal Energy Development Act, authorizing geothermal energy projects in Pennsylvania for electricity production, heating, and cooling, with the Department of Environmental Protection regulating all exploration, development, and production on public and private land

Vests ownership of geothermal resources in the surface property owner above the resources, allowing conveyance of these rights separately from surface ownership, and requiring public notice and hearing for any lease of geothermal resources under public land

Requires well operators to obtain geothermal well permits from the department, with regulations covering siting, design, bonding requirements, well spacing, drilling, plugging, and decommissioning, while allowing existing oil and gas wells to be repurposed for geothermal energy production

Creates the Geothermal Energy Development Fund within the State Treasury, funded by permit fees, civil penalties, and forfeited bonds, to support program administration, permit processing, regulation, and decommissioning of abandoned facilities

Authorizes civil penalties up to $50,000 plus $2,000 per day for violations, with enforcement powers including permit suspension or revocation, and establishes a temporary transition period until December 31, 2030, during which geothermal wells will be regulated under existing oil and gas well permitting frameworks