HGEO announced $1.2 million for eight teams working to build a stronger workforce for geothermal heat exchange systems and shallow drilling
Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office
September 8, 2026
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WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) today announced $1.2 million for eight winning teams under Phase 2 of its Partnerships to Accelerate Training and Hiring for Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP PATHs) Prize.
The three-phase prize supports regional partnerships to build a stronger workforce for geothermal heat exchange systems and shallow drilling, which is vital to help increase the use of geothermal and advances the Trump administration’s goal of delivering affordable, reliable, and secure energy for all Americans.
“A strong, skilled workforce is essential to increasing the use of geothermal energy,” said DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office Curt Coccodrilli. “By meeting the need for workers trained in shallow drilling, this prize is helping to advance President Trump's America First Energy Agenda and expand the range of affordable options available to American consumers.”
In Phase 2 of the GHP PATHs Prize—called “Engage”—competitors formalized partnerships envisioned as part of Phase 1 and proposed a workforce development program. Each of the eight teams will receive a $150,000 prize for their work in Phase 2 and proceed to Phase 3, “Execute.”
The Engage winners and their project names are:
- Born Global—The New England Geothermal Workforce Accelerator
- Cold Climate Innovation—Heating Alaska from Below: A GHP Training Program
- Egg Geo LLC—AI-Driven Geo Workforce Competency Engine
- Energy Environmental Corporation—Energy Environmental Colorado FORGE Team
- GEI Consultants Inc.—AGILE-GHP: Northeast GHP Workforce Development Hub
- Midwest Geothermal Collaboration/Connor Co—Midwest GSHP Technicians Workforce Initiatives
- Nauman Innovation Group LLC—GHP SMART CYCLE
- Northwest GeoExchange—Northwest GeoExchange Training Initiative
In Phase 3, the last phase of the prize, competitors will implement their workforce programs and share results including new hires and workers trained. Learn more about GHP PATHs on the competition website.
Learn how HGEO is unleashing the full potential of America’s hydrocarbon and geothermal resources to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy here.
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