Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025

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.