Geothermal Energy Advancement Act
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The bill would overhaul how the federal government permits geothermal energy projects on public land, requiring faster application decisions, letting the Bureau of Land Management recover its permitting and inspection costs from developers, and creating a geothermal ombudsman and task force to speed up approvals.
It would also update decades-old royalty and environmental-review rules to specifically address geothermal development, reflecting a broader push to expand this renewable energy source on federal lands by cutting permitting delays that developers have long cited as a barrier.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to require the Interior Department to decide geothermal permit applications within 60 days of completing required environmental and legal reviews, even while related lawsuits are pending, unless a court has blocked the project. It would let Interior recover its administrative costs for processing geothermal leases and inspecting operations from applicants through 2033, create a Geothermal Ombudsman and Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management to resolve disputes and speed up processing, and allow reassigned staff to receive retention pay of up to 25 percent of salary. It would also update geothermal royalty calculations tied to a facility's in-service date, direct publication of an updated "Gold Book" of permitting standards, and extend existing oil-and-gas categorical environmental exclusions to geothermal exploration and development. It does not change permitting requirements for other energy sources, does not eliminate any existing environmental review law, and does not guarantee that any specific project will be approved.
Key provisions
- 1Would require Interior to approve or deny geothermal permit applications within 60 days of completing required reviews, even amid pending litigation, unless a court blocks the project.
- 2Would authorize Interior to require geothermal lease applicants and holders to reimburse the government for permitting, inspection, and monitoring costs through September 30, 2033.
- 3Would require Interior to identify and publish an updated 'Gold Book' of standard procedures for efficient, environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting.
- 4Would establish a Geothermal Ombudsman and Geothermal Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management to resolve disputes, coordinate offices, and reassign staff (with possible retention pay) to speed permit processing.
- 5Would revise how geothermal royalty rates are calculated by tying the reduced 10-year royalty period to a facility's in-service date rather than the start of lease production.
- 6Would extend existing categorical environmental review exclusions under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to geothermal exploration and development activities.
Who would be affected
Geothermal energy developers and lessees operating on federal public lands, the Bureau of Land Management and its field, district, and state offices, Interior Department employees who may be reassigned to permitting work, and communities near geothermal projects that depend on timely federal environmental review.
Why it matters
Faster, more predictable permitting and a dedicated ombudsman could reduce delays that have historically slowed geothermal projects on federal land, while cost-recovery fees would shift some administrative expenses from taxpayers to developers. Extending categorical exclusions and adjusting royalty timing could also make geothermal projects more financially attractive to build.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1003) (Sec. 2)
Adds a requirement to decide geothermal authorization applications within 60 days despite pending civil actions, absent a court injunction.
Amends Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1005) (Sec. 3)
Adds authority for Interior to require cost reimbursement from geothermal lessees for permitting, inspection, and monitoring through 2033.
Amends Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001, 1004(a)(1)) (Sec. 7)
Adds definitions for geothermal electric generating facilities and in-service dates, and ties royalty rate periods to a facility's in-service date.
Amends Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942) (Sec. 8)
Extends existing oil-and-gas categorical exclusions from environmental review to geothermal exploration and development activities.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Deadline for Interior to appoint the Geothermal Ombudsman
- Deadline for Interior to establish the Geothermal Permitting Task Force
- Deadline to identify standard procedures for an updated Gold Book
- Deadline to publish the updated Gold Book after identifying procedures
- Deadline for Interior's report on the effects of cost recovery amendments
- Expiration of the geothermal cost recovery authority
How implementation would work
Interior would appoint a Geothermal Ombudsman from within the Bureau of Land Management to lead a new Permitting Task Force, which could temporarily reassign staff from other bureaus (with supervisor approval and possible retention pay) to help clear geothermal permit backlogs. The ombudsman would report annually to Congress on permitting timelines. Separately, Interior would collect reimbursable fees from lease applicants under a formal cost-recovery process running through 2033, publish an updated Gold Book of permitting standards after industry consultation, and report to Congress within five years on how the changes affected the geothermal program.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Official CRS summary
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This bill establishes a geothermal ombudsman and task force to oversee geothermal project permitting and authorizations on federal land.
The Department of the Interior must appoint a geothermal ombudsman from within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ombudsman must act as a liaison among different parts of BLM, provide dispute resolution services between BLM and geothermal project applicants, and facilitate permit processing in different BLM field offices regarding geothermal projects on federal land.
The ombudsman must also lead the Geothermal Permitting Task Force established by this bill. The task force must support the ombudsman’s duties. Through the task force, the ombudsman may reassign employees from other Interior bureaus or offices to assist in the completion of geothermal authorizations. The ombudsman may pay a retention allowance to reassigned employees.
Legislative subjects
Advisory bodies; Congressional oversight; Department of the Interior; Earth sciences; Energy; Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management; Licensing and registrations
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-660