BLM Creates Geothermal Exploration Fast Lane Through Environmental Reviews
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of the Interior is updating rules for the Bureau of Land Management to speed up geothermal energy exploration by adding a new shortcut that skips some paperwork. This change affects companies exploring geothermal resources and aims to save time and money while protecting the environment. Public comments are open until February 18, 2025, so everyone can weigh in before it takes effect.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
New CX Lets Exploration Permits Move Faster
The Department proposes a new categorical exclusion (CX) that would let the BLM approve Notices of Intent (NOIs) for geothermal resource exploration operations without preparing an environmental assessment when the project meets the CX conditions. The change is intended to speed approvals and save time and money for companies exploring geothermal resources on BLM-managed public lands.
Projects Must Meet Specific CX Limits
To qualify for the proposed GEO CX, an NOI cannot include direct testing of geothermal resources or resource utilization and must not exceed 10 acres of total surface disturbance. The CX also requires reclamation of disturbances and temporary routes, and requires vegetative cover on temporary routes to be reestablished within 10 years after approved reclamation begins.
Extraordinary Circumstances Can Trigger Full Review
Even if a proposed exploration NOI fits the CX, BLM responsible officials must evaluate whether any extraordinary circumstances (per 43 CFR 46.215) exist. If extraordinary circumstances apply or effects cannot be ascertained, the BLM will require modification of the proposal or will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) instead of using the CX.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17368, Notice of Formal Determination on Records Release
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board received 5,617 pages of records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) related to three civil rights cold case incidents to which the Review Board assigned the unique identifiers 2023-002-005, 2024-003-029, and 2024-003-052. The agencies proposed 3,691 postponements including postponements of sealed federal grand jury information in the records. On August 7, 2026, the Review Board approved 1,086 postponements and portions of 71 additional postponements and determined that 5,104 pages in full and 513 pages in part should be publicly disclosed in the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection. The Review Board has requested that the Attorney General petition the relevant court to unseal federal grand jury information in the records. By issuing this notice, the Review Board complies with the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 that requires the Review Board to publish in the Federal Register its determinations on the disclosure or postponement of records in the Collection no more than 14 days after the date of its decision.
2026-17376, Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection for Commodities Covered by the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the currently approved information collection used to compile and generate cattle, swine, lamb, boxed beef, and wholesale pork Market News reports under the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (1999 Act) (OMB 0581-0186).
2026-17369, Privacy Act of 1974; New Matching Program
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance on computer matching, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is providing notice of the establishment of a new matching program. Pursuant to the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA), OPM is establishing a matching program with the Department of the Treasury's Do Not Pay (DNP) Working System, which is administered by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The matching program will enable OPM Retirement Services to compare records maintained in OPM systems of records with records maintained in the DNP Working System for the purposes of identifying and preventing improper payments and conducting related recovery activities by verifying pre-payment eligibility through Do Not Pay. OPM has determined that this matching program satisfies the eligibility requirements for the waiver of the computer matching agreement requirement under OMB Memorandum M-25-32.
2026-17427, Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
2026-17346, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public hybrid meeting of its Scallop Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
2026-17362, Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Texas, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 7.18 Regarding Trading Halts
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-01083, Land Acquisitions; Koi Nation of Northern California, Shiloh Site, Sonoma County, California
The government is officially setting aside 68.6 acres of land in Sonoma County, California, for the Koi Nation of Northern California. This land, called the Shiloh Site, will be held in trust for the tribe to use for gaming and other community purposes. The decision was finalized on January 13, 2025, and the land transfer will happen soon after all requirements are met.
Next: 2025-01085, Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a Provision That the Exchange Will Not Review a Compliance Plan Submitted by a Listed Company That Is Below Compliance With a Continued Listing Standard If the Company Owes Any Unpaid Fees to the Exchange and Will Instead Immediately Commence Suspension and Delisting Procedures If Such Fees Are Not Paid in Full
The New York Stock Exchange wants to make sure companies pay all their fees before they can submit a plan to fix any problems with their listing. If a company owes money and doesn’t pay up by the deadline, the Exchange will start the process to suspend and remove them from the market right away. This affects any company listed on the NYSE that falls behind on fees and compliance, speeding up consequences for unpaid bills.