Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act" aims to accelerate geothermal energy development by amending the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. It introduces new provisions to streamline the environmental review process for specific geothermal activities on federal lands. The bill defines "geothermal exploration projects" as small-scale drilling activities, such as temperature gradient or monitoring wells, which must be completed within 180 days and disturb less than 8 acres. Crucially, these defined "geothermal exploration projects" and related "covered activities," including geotechnical investigations and access road work, are explicitly declared not to be major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This exemption significantly reduces the environmental review burden for these smaller-scale operations, requiring only a 30-day notice to the Secretary before drilling commences, thereby expediting the initial exploration phase. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to designate "geothermal leasing priority areas" on suitable federal lands within three years, considering factors like economic viability and transmission access. These designations will be reviewed and potentially modified every five years. For these designated priority areas, the bill streamlines NEPA compliance for lease sales by requiring a supplement to existing programmatic environmental impact statements. Once a programmatic environmental document analyzes a priority area, no additional NEPA analysis is required for geothermal lease sales for a period of 10 years, unless substantial new information arises, ensuring a more efficient leasing process.
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
Energy
Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionIntergovernmental relationsLand use and conservationMiningState and local government operations
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act
USA119th CongressHR-5576| House
| Updated: 3/5/2026
The "Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act" aims to accelerate geothermal energy development by amending the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. It introduces new provisions to streamline the environmental review process for specific geothermal activities on federal lands. The bill defines "geothermal exploration projects" as small-scale drilling activities, such as temperature gradient or monitoring wells, which must be completed within 180 days and disturb less than 8 acres. Crucially, these defined "geothermal exploration projects" and related "covered activities," including geotechnical investigations and access road work, are explicitly declared not to be major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This exemption significantly reduces the environmental review burden for these smaller-scale operations, requiring only a 30-day notice to the Secretary before drilling commences, thereby expediting the initial exploration phase. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to designate "geothermal leasing priority areas" on suitable federal lands within three years, considering factors like economic viability and transmission access. These designations will be reviewed and potentially modified every five years. For these designated priority areas, the bill streamlines NEPA compliance for lease sales by requiring a supplement to existing programmatic environmental impact statements. Once a programmatic environmental document analyzes a priority area, no additional NEPA analysis is required for geothermal lease sales for a period of 10 years, unless substantial new information arises, ensuring a more efficient leasing process.
Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee
Energy
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionIntergovernmental relationsLand use and conservationMiningState and local government operations