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Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

USA119th CongressHR-5576| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2026
Russ Fulcher

Russ Fulcher

Republican Representative

Idaho

Cosponsors (3)
Celeste Maloy (Republican)Mike Kennedy (Republican)Nicholas J. Begich (Republican)

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.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4026
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5350
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6482
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-4568
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act
Sep 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 26, 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 in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.
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 116-4026
    Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5350
    Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6482
    Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-4568
    Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act


  • September 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 26, 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 in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.


  • 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 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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4026
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5350
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6482
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-4568
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act
Sep 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 26, 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 in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.
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 116-4026
    Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5350
    Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6482
    Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-4568
    Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act


  • September 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 26, 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 in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.


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


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

Russ Fulcher

Republican Representative

Idaho

Cosponsors (3)
Celeste Maloy (Republican)Mike Kennedy (Republican)Nicholas J. Begich (Republican)

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