The Texas General Land Office is seeking industry input on developing geothermal energy, small modular nuclear reactors, and natural gas plants on state lands as part of a new effort to expand dependable power resources.
What is the GLO exploring?
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is launching an initiative to explore development of geothermal energy, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), and natural gas plants on state lands.
The GLO has opened a Request for Information (RFI) for qualified companies, developers, technology providers, energy producers, and other interested parties to provide input on potential development opportunities.
Commissioner Dawn Buckingham: "Texas built its economy by putting our natural resources to work, and we cannot afford to stop innovation now. Our state needs dependable energy to power homes, businesses, manufacturing, and the next generation of American industries."
Why is the GLO pursuing these resources?
Buckingham said geothermal, advanced nuclear technology, and natural gas represent different approaches to producing dependable power within Texas.
The initiative is the first pillar of the GLO's Texas Engine: Fueled, Fed, and Fortified Initiative, which aims to examine how state lands can support economic growth, energy security, and national security.
How could state lands be used?
The GLO manages more than 13 million acres of state land and minerals. Revenue from responsible resource development supports the Permanent School Fund, which helps fund Texas public education.
The agency has also pursued critical mineral development on state lands, including the USA Rare Earth Round Top Mountain project in Hudspeth County, which is expected to begin commercial production in 2028.
The Bottom Line
The GLO's new RFI seeks industry input on developing geothermal, SMR and natural gas projects on state lands, expanding the agency's exploration of energy resources that could provide dependable power for Texas.
