Proposed Changes to Geothermal Energy Exploration on Federal Lands

The Frame

What this does

If passed, this bill would change the environmental review requirements for geothermal developers and mandate that the Secretary of the Interior designate specific federal lands for priority geothermal leasing within five years, potentially accelerating energy project timelines.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Geothermal leaseholders

They must provide 30 days' notice before drilling and follow specific project criteria to qualify for NEPA exemptions.

State, Tribal, and local governments

They are to be consulted on an ongoing basis during the development of programmatic environmental impact statements.

Transmission infrastructure owners and operators

They are to be consulted during the development of programmatic environmental impact statements.

What changed

Last recorded activity December 10, 2024.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

This bill streamlines the process for geothermal energy exploration on federal lands by exempting certain small-scale projects from major federal environmental reviews and requiring the government to designate priority areas for geothermal leasing. It aims to speed up the development of geothermal resources by reducing regulatory hurdles for specific drilling activities and mandating a new federal planning process.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

If passed, this bill would change the environmental review requirements for geothermal developers and mandate that the Secretary of the Interior designate specific federal lands for priority geothermal leasing within five years, potentially accelerating energy project timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies as a 'geothermal exploration project' under this bill?

A project is defined as an exploration well (temperature gradient, monitoring, calibration, or other) that disturbs less than 5 acres, uses casing with an outer diameter under 13 inches, is completed within 120 days, and includes a restoration plan within 3 years.

Does this bill remove all environmental review requirements?

No. It exempts specific small-scale exploration projects from being classified as 's' under NEPA, but it still requires the Secretary to maintain s for designated priority areas.

What is a 'geothermal leasing priority area'?

It is a portion of federal land, not otherwise excluded from geothermal development, that the Secretary of the Interior designates as a priority for geothermal leasing based on economic viability and transmission access.

News Coverage

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Connected Entities

personFulcher, Michael“Introduced the bill in the House of Representatives”Map →

otherNational Environmental Policy Act of 1969“Act that geothermal exploration projects are exempt from”Map →

organizationU.S. Government Publishing Office“Published the Congressional Bills”Map →

bill_number30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.“Code section referencing the Geothermal Steam Act”Map →

organizationSecretary of Energy“Consulted in the designation of geothermal leasing priority areas”Map →

bill_numberGeothermal Steam Act of 1970“The primary legislation being amended”Map →

otherFederal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976“Act used for land use planning”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance75
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Controversy50
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Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
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