Legis Daily

GEO Act

USA119th CongressHR-301| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2026
Celeste Maloy

Celeste Maloy

Republican Representative

Utah

Cosponsors (7)
Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Nicholas J. Begich (Republican)Pete Stauber (Republican)Addison P. McDowell (Republican)Russ Fulcher (Republican)Susie Lee (Democratic)

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act, aims to accelerate the development of geothermal resources by establishing a firm deadline for processing related applications. It amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to mandate that the Secretary of the Interior act on various geothermal authorizations. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary to approve, issue, or deny applications for geothermal drilling permits, sundry notices, rights-of-way, and other authorizations within 60 days . This 60-day clock begins after all requirements under applicable federal laws and regulations, such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, have been fulfilled. A key provision states that this processing requirement applies even in the presence of pending civil actions affecting an application. However, the deadline is waived if a United States Federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the specific geothermal lease or authorization. The bill clarifies that it does not grant any new judicial authority to federal courts in this regard.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5154
GEO Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7370
GEO Act
Jan 9, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 9, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Dec 9, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Dec 16, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Mar 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 5, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 5, 2026
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5154
    GEO Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7370
    GEO Act


  • January 9, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 9, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • December 9, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.


  • December 16, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • March 5, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • March 5, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.


  • March 5, 2026
    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged

Energy

Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionLicensing and registrationsMiningPerformance measurement

GEO Act

USA119th CongressHR-301| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2026
This bill, known as the Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act, aims to accelerate the development of geothermal resources by establishing a firm deadline for processing related applications. It amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to mandate that the Secretary of the Interior act on various geothermal authorizations. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary to approve, issue, or deny applications for geothermal drilling permits, sundry notices, rights-of-way, and other authorizations within 60 days . This 60-day clock begins after all requirements under applicable federal laws and regulations, such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, have been fulfilled. A key provision states that this processing requirement applies even in the presence of pending civil actions affecting an application. However, the deadline is waived if a United States Federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the specific geothermal lease or authorization. The bill clarifies that it does not grant any new judicial authority to federal courts in this regard.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5154
GEO Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7370
GEO Act
Jan 9, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 9, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Dec 9, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Dec 16, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Mar 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 5, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 5, 2026
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5154
    GEO Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7370
    GEO Act


  • January 9, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 9, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • December 9, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.


  • December 16, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • March 5, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • March 5, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.


  • March 5, 2026
    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
Celeste Maloy

Celeste Maloy

Republican Representative

Utah

Cosponsors (7)
Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Nicholas J. Begich (Republican)Pete Stauber (Republican)Addison P. McDowell (Republican)Russ Fulcher (Republican)Susie Lee (Democratic)

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Energy

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionLicensing and registrationsMiningPerformance measurement