Overview
- The Texas General Land Office on Tuesday opened an RFI inviting companies and technology providers to describe geothermal and small modular reactor projects for state land, with a separate RFI for natural gas plants promised later.
- Respondents may propose geothermal or SMR work on Permanent School Fund lands as the agency gathers technical, commercial and siting information rather than approving any projects.
- The GLO said the effort is the first pillar of its 'Texas Engine' initiative and aims to monetize state land and mineral rights to generate revenue for the Permanent School Fund, which supports public education.
- Industry groups praised the outreach as timely for developing reliable power while experts noted the move fits the GLO’s long-running model of leasing state resources; actual projects would still face permitting, financing and technology hurdles.
- Next steps include the planned natural gas RFI, review of responses to the geothermal/SMR RFI, and potential follow-on procurement or lease actions that would determine sites, costs and timelines.