What does Preamble of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This bill aims to promote responsible geothermal energy development on public lands. The bill's purpose includes 'other purposes' beyond geothermal energy development.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act.

What does EFFECT OF PENDING CIVIL ACTIONS ON PROCESSING APPLICATIONS of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This section amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. It requires the Secretary to process applications related to geothermal leasing within 60 days. The Secretary must approve, issue, or deny applications despite pending civil actions, unless a court provides relief.

What does COST RECOVERY FROM GEOTHERMAL LEASING, PERMITTING, AND of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This section amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow cost recovery from geothermal leasing, permitting, and inspections. The Secretary may require reimbursement for administrative and other costs from applicants or holders of geothermal leases. Reimbursement may be reduced if full payment would impose economic hardship or to promote geothermal resource use.

What does REPORT. of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This section mandates a report from the Secretary of the Interior regarding the impact of amendments made by section 3 of this Act on the Bureau of Land Management's geothermal program. The report must be submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and made publicly available on the Department of the Interior's website. The report should include recommendations for reauthorization of section 6(j) of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, as added by this Act. The Secretary of the Interior is required to solicit facts and information from the geothermal industry and other stakeholders in developing the report. The report may also include other recommendations for updates to section 6(j) and the Bureau of Land Management's geothermal program.

What does PUBLICATION OF ``GOLD BOOK'' FOR GEOTHERMAL OPERATIONS ON of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of the Interior to identify standard procedures and guidelines for geothermal leasing and permitting. The Secretary must identify these procedures within one year of the Act's enactment, considering existing guidelines in the 'Gold Book'. An updated version of the 'Gold Book', incorporating these changes, must be published within 270 days of identifying the guidelines. The 'Gold Book' will be renamed to reflect its inclusion of geothermal development standards. Consultation with federal agencies and outside stakeholders is required before publishing the updated version. The updated 'Gold Book' must include procedures for exploration, permitting, compliance, construction, drilling, production, and utilization operations. The Secretary must review the 'Gold Book' at least once every five years and update it as needed.

What does GEOTHERMAL OMBUDSMAN AND PERMITTING TASK FORCE. of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This section establishes a Geothermal Ombudsman and a Geothermal Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management. The Geothermal Ombudsman acts as a liaison between field offices and applicants for geothermal authorizations. The Task Force supports the Geothermal Ombudsman and facilitates permit processing practices and timelines. The Geothermal Ombudsman may assign personnel with relevant expertise to assist with geothermal authorizations. The Geothermal Ombudsman submits an annual report to Congress on the activities of the Task Force and geothermal permit processing effectiveness.

What does GEOTHERMAL ROYALTIES. of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This section amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to clarify royalty calculations for geothermal electric generating facilities. It defines 'geothermal electric generating facility' as a facility producing electricity using geothermal resources, specifying that facilities sharing a turbine are considered a single facility for certain purposes. The definition of 'in-service date' is established as the date a geothermal electric generating facility begins operating. Section 5(a)(1) is amended to apply royalty rates with respect to geothermal electric generating facilities producing electricity from geothermal resources. The royalty calculation period is modified to be each year of the 10-year period following the in-service date of the facility, rather than the first 10 years of production under the lease.

What does NEPA REVIEW. of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act do?

This section amends Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The amendment expands the scope of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review to include geothermal resources. Subsection (a) of Section 390 is modified to include geothermal exploration or development under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Subsection (b) of Section 390 is amended to include 'geothermal' alongside 'gas' in paragraphs (2) and (3).

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Geothermal Energy Advancement Act

Last updated: 6/3/2026 · Introduced: 9/30/2025

Author: Jeff Hurd (R-CO)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a Geothermal Ombudsman within the Bureau of Land Management to facilitate communication, resolve disputes, and improve geothermal permit processing.
It creates a Geothermal Permitting Task Force, led by the Ombudsman, to coordinate personnel and resources across federal agencies for geothermal authorizations.
The Geothermal Ombudsman must submit annual reports to Congress assessing the efficiency of geothermal permit processing and may offer retention incentives to assigned personnel.

119th Congresspassed houseS. 4383(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 7 more.

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