§1531 — Title 30 Mineral Lands and Mining | U.S. Code

Summary

Set up a loan program to speed up geothermal projects that produce heat (not electricity). The Secretary must run the program and can lend to geothermal utility districts, geothermal industrial development districts, and other eligible people. Loans can pay up to 90% of the cost of studies to see if a project is doable and to prepare permit applications. If a study shows the project is not technically or economically feasible, the Secretary may wipe out the remaining loan balance and interest for that study. The Secretary can also lend up to 75% of the direct construction costs for non‑electric geothermal systems if required permits will be or have been issued, the project follows environmental laws, and the borrower needs the help to finish the work. Loans use the same interest rate as water resources planning projects under section 80 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–17(a)). Study loans can run no longer than 10 years and construction loans no longer than 30 years. Loans come from the Geothermal Resources Development Fund, and repayments go back into that fund. For fiscal year 1981, up to $5,000,000 was authorized for study loans and remains available until spent; later funding requires new laws. “Person” includes cities, cooperatives, industrial development agencies, nonprofits, Indian tribes, and the named districts.

Title 30, §1531

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(a)The Secretary is authorized and directed to establish a program of assistance for the accelerated development of geothermal resources for nonelectric applications by geothermal utility districts, geothermal industrial development districts, and other persons.

(b)(1)In providing assistance under the program established pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized to make a loan to any person to defray up to 90 per centum of the costs of (A) studies to determine the feasibility of any geothermal development described in such subsection, and (B) preparing applications for any necessary licenses or other Federal, State, and local approvals respecting such development.

(2)The Secretary may cancel the unpaid balance and any accrued interest on any loan granted for a study pursuant to clause (A) of paragraph (1) if he determines, on the basis of the study, that the geothermal development is not technically or economically feasible.

(c)In providing assistance under such program, the Secretary is also authorized to make a loan to any person to defray up to 75 per centum of the costs directly related to the construction of a system or systems for nonelectric geothermal development pursuant to such subsection, where the Secretary finds that—

(1)all necessary licenses and other required Federal, State, and local approvals for construction of such system or systems have been or will be issued,

(2)the project involved will comply with all applicable laws relating to protection of the environment, and

(3)the applicant requires such assistance to undertake and complete the project.

(d)Each loan made pursuant to this section shall bear interest at a discount or interest rate equal to the rate in effect (at the time the loan is made) for water resources planning projects under section 80 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1962(d)–17(a)).11 So in original. Should be “(42 U.S.C. 1962d–17(a)).” Each loan shall be for such term as the Secretary deems appropriate, but not in excess of ten years for loans under subsection (b) or thirty years for loans under subsection (c).

(e)Loans pursuant to this section shall be made from funds appropriated (pursuant to this subchapter) to the Geothermal Resources Development Fund established under section 1144 22 See References in Text note below. of this title; and amounts repaid on such loans shall be deposited in the Geothermal Resources Development Fund for purposes of this subchapter.

(f)For loans under clause (A) of subsection (b)(1) for fiscal year 1981, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Geothermal Resources Development Fund not to exceed $5,000,000, which shall remain available until expended. For loans under such clause (A) for subsequent fiscal years, and for loans under clause (B) of subsection (b)(1) or under subsection (c) (for any such subsequent fiscal year), there may be appropriated to such Fund only such sums as are authorized by legislation hereafter enacted.

(g)As used in this section, the term “person” includes municipalities, cooperatives, industrial development agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes, as well as the districts referred to in subsection (a) and the other entities included within such term under section 1 of title 1.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 1144 of this title, referred to in subsec. (e), was repealed by Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(i)(3), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2495.

§1531 Feasibility study loan program

Summary

Title 30, §1531

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

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