GEO Act
Sponsored By: Representative Maloy
In Committee
Summary
60-day processing deadline for geothermal approvals. This bill would require federal agencies to approve or deny drilling permits, notices, rights-of-way, and other authorizations tied to valid geothermal leases within 60 days after an applicant completes all required federal steps, including NEPA and the Endangered Species Act. The deadline applies despite pending civil suits unless a federal court has vacated the lease or granted injunctive relief, and it preserves courts' authority to vacate or enjoin actions.
Show full summary
- Geothermal developers and operators: Gain faster, predictable timelines for permits and other authorizations, typically a 60-day window after completing required federal steps.
- Federal agencies: Must issue approvals or denials for drilling permits, sundry notices, notices to proceed, rights-of-way, and similar authorizations within 60 days once applicants finish required procedures.
- Courts and litigants: Pending lawsuits no longer automatically pause the 60-day clock. The deadline does not limit a federal court's power to vacate a lease or grant injunctive relief.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster permit decisions for geothermal projects
If enacted, the Interior Department would have 60 days to approve or deny geothermal permits and related approvals. The clock would start only after the applicant finishes all steps under NEPA, the ESA, and other federal rules. It would cover drilling permits, sundry notices, notices to proceed, rights-of-way, and other needed approvals under a valid lease. Authorization would include any license, approval, finding, or interagency consultation to site, build, rebuild, or start a federal geothermal project. The 60-day clock would still run during a lawsuit unless a federal court vacates or blocks that specific approval. This would not change any court’s power to vacate or issue an injunction.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Maloy
UT • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
AK • R
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 7/22/2025
McDowell
NC • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Fulcher
ID • R
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov