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Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-398| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2026
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Democratic Representative

New York

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to provide the Department of the Interior with new cost-recovery authority. Specifically, it allows the Secretary of the Interior to require applicants for, or holders of, geothermal leases to reimburse the United States for reasonable administrative and other costs incurred. This authority is temporary, extending from the bill's enactment until September 30, 2032. The recoverable costs encompass expenses for processing geothermal lease applications , including various permits and approvals, as well as for inspecting and monitoring geophysical exploration, well activities, and the construction and operation of geothermal facilities. The Secretary must consider existing cooperative cost-share agreements and may reduce reimbursement amounts if full recovery would cause economic hardship or if a reduction would promote greater use of geothermal resources. Funds reimbursed under this provision will be credited to the Department of the Interior's relevant accounts as discretionary offsetting collections. These funds are then available, subject to appropriations, exclusively for the same purposes: processing applications and conducting inspections and monitoring activities within the geothermal program. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of the Interior submit a report within five years, assessing the impact of these amendments on the Bureau of Land Management's geothermal program and offering recommendations for future reauthorization or updates.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7422
Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 14, 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
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 5, 2026
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7422
    Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024


  • January 14, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 14, 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
    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.


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


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

Energy

Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchLand use and conservationMiningPollution liabilityUser charges and fees

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-398| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2026
This bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to provide the Department of the Interior with new cost-recovery authority. Specifically, it allows the Secretary of the Interior to require applicants for, or holders of, geothermal leases to reimburse the United States for reasonable administrative and other costs incurred. This authority is temporary, extending from the bill's enactment until September 30, 2032. The recoverable costs encompass expenses for processing geothermal lease applications , including various permits and approvals, as well as for inspecting and monitoring geophysical exploration, well activities, and the construction and operation of geothermal facilities. The Secretary must consider existing cooperative cost-share agreements and may reduce reimbursement amounts if full recovery would cause economic hardship or if a reduction would promote greater use of geothermal resources. Funds reimbursed under this provision will be credited to the Department of the Interior's relevant accounts as discretionary offsetting collections. These funds are then available, subject to appropriations, exclusively for the same purposes: processing applications and conducting inspections and monitoring activities within the geothermal program. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of the Interior submit a report within five years, assessing the impact of these amendments on the Bureau of Land Management's geothermal program and offering recommendations for future reauthorization or updates.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7422
Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 14, 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
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 5, 2026
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7422
    Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024


  • January 14, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 14, 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
    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.


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


  • March 5, 2026
    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Democratic Representative

New York

Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Energy

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchLand use and conservationMiningPollution liabilityUser charges and fees