Geothermal Gold Book Development Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5617
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 573.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-04T17:26:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 5617: Geothermal Gold Book Development Act
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to create and publish updated standard procedures and guidelines for leasing and permitting geothermal energy projects on federal lands. The goal is to support efficient processes while ensuring operations are environmentally responsible.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Identification of Guidelines: Within one year of the bill becoming law, the Secretary of the Interior must work with other federal agencies to identify standard procedures for geothermal leasing and permitting that are not already covered in the existing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) "Gold Book."
- Publication and Updates: The Secretary must publish an updated version of the Gold Book within 270 days after identifying the new guidelines. This version will be renamed to include geothermal topics and will be used by BLM field offices and project operators.
- Required Consultation: Before publishing, the Secretary must consult with relevant federal agencies (including BLM offices), developers, and other experts.
- Specific Topics to Cover: The updated guidelines must address exploration and geophysical work, lease permitting, compliance with laws, construction and maintenance, and drilling, production, and energy use operations.
- Ongoing Reviews: The Secretary must review the guidelines at least every five years and update them if needed to maintain efficiency and environmental standards.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
The bill expands the current "Gold Book," which was last updated in 2007 and focused mainly on oil and gas operations, by adding dedicated sections for geothermal development. It introduces a formal process for regular updates specific to geothermal projects on federal lands, rather than relying on ad hoc practices.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior and BLM would need to allocate resources for developing, publishing, and maintaining the new guidelines, potentially streamlining permitting reviews across field offices.
- On Citizens and Industry: Geothermal developers could benefit from clearer, more consistent rules that speed up project approvals while meeting environmental requirements, possibly encouraging more clean energy projects on federal lands.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are outlined, though improved domestic geothermal production might indirectly support U.S. energy goals in global climate discussions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management, which handle federal land management and permitting.
- Geothermal energy developers and operators seeking leases on federal lands.
- Other federal agencies involved in environmental reviews.
- Local communities and environmental groups interested in land use and energy development.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The legislation focuses on administrative direction to an executive agency without altering core statutes or raising apparent constitutional concerns, such as conflicts with property rights or separation of powers. It emphasizes environmental responsibility alongside efficiency, which could influence future policy debates on balancing energy production with land protection on federal properties.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 573.
- 2026-05-20: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-659.
- 2026-05-20: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-659.
- 2026-03-05: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 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.
- 2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Geothermal Gold Book Development Act — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (3 pages)
- Geothermal Gold Book Development Act — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (6 pages)