Arizona State Rep. Teresa Elizabeth Martinez said that “geothermal is one resource we should be taking seriously” as the Arizona Legislature unanimously approved and transmitted House Concurrent Resolution 2057 to the Secretary of State.
The resolution, introduced by Martinez, expresses support for geothermal energy development in response to rising electricity demands driven by economic expansion, according to a press release from the Arizona House GOP.
The topic has gained urgency as electricity demand in Arizona grew by 8% in 2025, a rate four times higher than the national average. Proposed data center projects could nearly triple demand for major utilities such as Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project, requiring up to 29,000 megawatts of additional power capacity, according to Distilled Earth.
“This is simple: Arizona needs more power, and geothermal is one resource we should be taking seriously,” Martinez said. “It is reliable, it is here, and new technology is making it more realistic to develop. This resolution does not build a power plant tomorrow. What it does is tell state agencies to get serious, work together, and make sure Arizona is ready for geothermal projects when they come.”
The United States Department of Energy has identified Arizona as having the potential to develop at least 10 gigawatts of geothermal energy capacity, according to legislative documents. Next-generation geothermal systems provide baseload power with high capacity factors that operate independently of weather conditions or time of day. Enhanced geothermal technologies are expected to contribute to future national electricity supply.
Martinez represents Arizona House District 16 after being elected to a full term in 2022. She previously worked on the staff of Congressmen Rick Renzi and Paul Gosar, as well as Arizona Secretary of State Michelle Reagan and served as political director for the Arizona Republican Party. Martinez was born and raised in Casa Grande, where she also worked as a long-term substitute teacher at Casa Grande Union High School, according to Ballotpedia.
