USA:

NREL Releases Report on Policy Options to Advance Geothermal Exploration (DOE/Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy)

A new U.S. Department of Energy report, published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, highlights findings from a review of five policy mechanisms that have been successfully applied to hydrothermal exploration activities around the globe – loan guarantees, drilling failure insurance, lending support, grants, and government-led exploration—and their applicability to the U.S. geothermal market. A significant barrier in geothermal project development is the high investment risk during the resource exploration phase of development projects.

Geothermal Exploration Policy Mechanisms: Lessons for the United States from International Applications (PDF)