Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5576
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-05: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-07T09:06:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act (H.R. 5576) aims to update the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to speed up the exploration and leasing of geothermal energy resources on federal lands. It seeks to reduce regulatory delays, encourage timely development of this renewable energy source, and prioritize areas suitable for geothermal projects while maintaining environmental safeguards.
Key Provisions
- Geothermal Exploration Projects (New Section 30):
- Defines a "geothermal exploration project" as drilling specific types of wells (e.g., temperature gradient or monitoring wells) on leased federal lands by the lease holder. These projects must meet strict limits: well casings under 13 3/8 inches in diameter, surface disturbance under 8 acres (excluding roads), completion within 180 days, and site restoration within 3 years unless used for further energy development.
- Defines "covered activities" as geotechnical investigations, off-road travel in approved rights-of-way, and road construction or maintenance in those areas related to geothermal exploration, development, or production.
- Exempts these projects and activities from being classified as "major federal actions" under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which normally requires detailed environmental impact statements (EIS). Instead, lease holders must provide at least 30 days' notice to the Secretary of the Interior before starting drilling.
- Geothermal Leasing Priority Areas (New Section 31):
- Defines "covered land" as federal lands not excluded from geothermal development under land use plans or other federal laws.
- Requires the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to designate priority areas for geothermal leasing within 3 years of enactment, based on suitability for leasing, economic viability (including energy transmission access), and compliance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA).
- Mandates reviews and potential updates or removals of designations every 5 years.
- Requires a programmatic EIS (a broad environmental review covering multiple actions) or supplement for initial and subsequent designations, developed with input from state, Tribal, local governments, energy developers, and infrastructure operators. Permits and lease sales cannot be delayed by unfinished EIS supplements.
- For NEPA compliance in priority areas: No additional environmental analysis is needed for lease sales for 10 years after a programmatic EIS, unless significant new issues arise; after 10 years, further exemptions apply if the original analysis is reevaluated and remains valid.
- Findings (Section 4):
- Recognizes recent adoption of categorical exclusions (simplified NEPA reviews for low-impact activities) for geothermal exploration on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, borrowed from other agencies, to accelerate approvals.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amendments to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970: Adds two new sections (30 and 31) to streamline exploration and leasing processes, which previously faced lengthy NEPA reviews and lacked designated priority areas.
- NEPA Modifications: Exempts small-scale exploration from full NEPA scrutiny and limits additional reviews for priority area lease sales, contrasting with prior requirements for case-by-case environmental assessments. Builds on 2023 changes to NEPA via the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which expanded categorical exclusions.
- FLPMA Integration: Ties priority designations to existing land management plans under FLPMA, ensuring geothermal development aligns with broader federal land use goals without overriding exclusions.
- No changes to core leasing or royalty structures, but introduces mandatory timelines for designations and notices to promote efficiency.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior (including BLM) and Department of Energy face new duties to designate areas and prepare EIS supplements within set timelines, potentially reducing workload on individual project reviews but increasing upfront planning efforts. This could lead to faster permitting, easing administrative burdens.
- On Citizens and Energy Sector: Accelerates geothermal exploration and production on federal lands (about 640 million acres managed by BLM), potentially lowering energy costs and boosting renewable energy supply. Citizens in energy-dependent regions may see job growth in drilling and infrastructure, but rural communities near projects could face temporary land disturbances.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though increased U.S. geothermal output could enhance energy independence and support global climate goals by expanding clean energy without relying on foreign imports.
- Environmental Considerations: While streamlining reviews, requirements for site restoration and EIS consultations aim to protect lands; however, it may reduce scrutiny for cumulative impacts from multiple small projects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Geothermal Developers and Lease Holders: Primary beneficiaries, gaining faster approvals and priority access to viable lands, reducing exploration timelines from years to months.
- Federal Agencies: Secretary of the Interior (BLM) and Secretary of Energy, responsible for designations, reviews, and NEPA compliance; they must balance development with land protection.
- State, Tribal, and Local Governments: Involved in consultations for EIS and land use, potentially influencing designations; Tribes may advocate for protections on ancestral lands.
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Affected by reduced NEPA requirements, which could limit opportunities to challenge projects through litigation.
- Energy Infrastructure Operators: Transmission owners benefit from criteria favoring areas with grid access, facilitating integration of geothermal power.
- General Public and Taxpayers: Indirectly impacted through federal land use decisions and potential revenue from geothermal royalties funding public programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens use of categorical exclusions and programmatic EIS to comply with NEPA while avoiding delays, potentially decreasing lawsuits over environmental reviews (a common barrier to energy projects). Ensures alignment with FLPMA's multiple-use mandate for federal lands, promoting geothermal as a renewable alongside other resources like timber or grazing.
- Constitutional Implications: Reinforces Congress's authority under the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3) to regulate federal lands for public benefit, including energy development. No direct challenges to due process or equal protection, but NEPA exemptions could invite judicial scrutiny if seen as bypassing environmental safeguards.
- Political Implications: Supports bipartisan goals of energy security and climate action by prioritizing geothermal (a baseload renewable) on public lands, amid pushes for domestic clean energy. May face debate over balancing development speed with conservation, especially in Western states with federal lands; findings reference recent laws to build on existing momentum without partisan overhauls.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-05: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.
- 2026-03-05: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-03-05: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
- 2025-12-16: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-12-09: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 2025-09-26: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-09-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act — issued 2025-09-26 — PDF (8 pages)