Pennsylvania Tests Geothermal Power From Gas Well
A $14 million pilot will circulate water through an underperforming Indiana County well to generate electricity and heat.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Energy
Live Poll
Should abandoned gas wells in your area be converted to geothermal power?
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is leading the EGS Pilot Demonstration, which aims to generate one megawatt of electricity from an underperforming Marcellus Shale gas well in Indiana County. Lehigh University has received $1.6 million to take part in the project, which has a total budget of about $14 million.
Why it matters
The project asks whether abandoned hydrocarbon infrastructure can be given a second life as a clean, renewable energy source. Its results could help determine whether geothermal energy can be developed more broadly across Pennsylvania and the eastern United States.
The pilot has a total budget of about $14 million, with Lehigh receiving $1.6 million to support five researchers and students from two units. The project's one-megawatt generation target has not been reported as met, and its long-term performance remains unassessed.
The players
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
The state agency leads the EGS Pilot Demonstration and coordinates the project with the Pennsylvania Geological Survey.
Lehigh University
The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania research university received $1.6 million to participate in the pilot project.
CNX Green Ventures
The company operates the underperforming Marcellus Shale gas well in Indiana County that is being used for the pilot.
The details
The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and circulates water at depth through an existing deep unconventional gas well to heat it. The heated water is brought to the surface to produce electricity for the local grid and supply direct-use heat to nearby homes and businesses.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: Lehigh's geothermal pilot funding was announced.
Big Picture
The project extends enhanced geothermal systems into repurposed Marcellus Shale infrastructure, testing whether abandoned or underperforming gas wells can serve as geothermal sources. It is intended to show that the approach is portable and to stimulate geothermal development in the eastern United States.
Pennsylvania residents near Indiana County may eventually see geothermal heat and electricity supplied to local homes and businesses if the pilot succeeds. The project's results could also indicate whether other idle gas wells in the state might be converted for similar use.
The takeaway
Repurposing existing gas infrastructure could offer a path to renewable heat and power, but the pilot's results will determine whether the approach is practical. Readers should watch for performance data on the one-megawatt target before drawing broader conclusions.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Energy news from across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism.
Live Poll
Should abandoned gas wells in your area be converted to geothermal power?
