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119-hr-5631119th CongressWALLET

Geothermal Energy Advancement Act

Sponsored By: Representative Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

Passed House

Summary

Speeds up geothermal leasing and permitting while letting the Interior Department charge applicants for processing and inspections. The bill would set firm review deadlines, create new BLM permitting roles, and tighten how royalties and NEPA reviews apply to geothermal power projects.

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  • Developers and leaseholders: The Interior would have to approve or deny geothermal lease‑related applications within 60 days after all federal requirements are complete. Applicants could also be required to reimburse the government for reasonable processing and inspection costs through Sept. 30, 2033, with hardship reductions and cost‑share options allowed.
  • BLM operations and staff: The Bureau of Land Management would get a Geothermal Ombudsman and a Geothermal Permitting Task Force within 60 days to speed and coordinate reviews. The bill allows cross‑office full‑time assignments and retention pay of up to 25% of basic pay for assigned staff to bolster permitting capacity.
  • Projects, royalties, and environmental review: Royalties would be tied to each geothermal electric facility’s in‑service date and count the first 10 years after that date for royalty rules. The bill also brings geothermal exploration and development explicitly into the Energy Policy Act Section 390 NEPA review framework.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster permits and support for geothermal projects

If you apply for a geothermal permit, the agency would have 60 days to approve or deny it after all federal reviews are done, unless a court blocks the lease or permit. The bill would set up a Geothermal Ombudsman and a Permitting Task Force within 60 days to resolve disputes and keep permits moving. Assigned staff could get retention allowances up to 25% of basic pay if funds are appropriated. The Bureau of Land Management would identify standard procedures within one year and publish updated "Gold Book" guidance within 270 days after that, with reviews at least every five years.

Royalty clock starts at each facility

The initial 10-year royalty period would run from each facility’s in-service date. Separate facilities would be counted separately unless they share a turbine. This would shift royalty timing to match when each facility starts operating.

New processing and inspection fees for developers

Interior would be able to require applicants and leaseholders to reimburse processing and inspection costs through September 30, 2033. The Secretary would be able to reduce fees for economic hardship or to promote geothermal development. Money collected would go to Interior and would be usable only if Congress appropriates it. The Secretary would publish a report within five years on how this worked.

New environmental review rules for geothermal

The bill would add geothermal exploration and development to certain environmental review triggers in existing law. This would place geothermal projects under those review steps, which can add time and paperwork. If enacted, the change would apply immediately.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

CO • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 5/20/2026

  • Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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