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HR5617119th Congress

Geothermal Gold Book Development Act

Sponsored By: Representative Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

In Committee

Summary

Standardize geothermal leasing and permitting on federal lands by updating the Bureau of Land Management's 'Gold Book' with geothermal-specific procedures.

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The bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to identify standard procedures within 1 year and then publish an updated, renamed Gold Book within 270 days of that identification. It would require the Secretary to consult with other agencies, BLM field offices, developers, and outside experts before publishing and to review the guidance at least once every five years.

  • Developers and operators would get clear, nationwide standards for exploration, permitting, drilling, production, and operations, aimed at supporting more efficient geothermal projects.
  • BLM field offices and other agencies would receive an updated manual to guide consistent decisionmaking across federal lands, plus a regular review cycle every five years.
  • Communities and environmental reviewers would see required guidance on environmentally responsible development and compliance with applicable laws, shaped by stakeholder consultation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Updated BLM geothermal guidance

If enacted, the bill would require the Interior Secretary to identify geothermal procedures missing from the BLM "Gold Book" within one year of enactment. Within 270 days after that identification, the Secretary would publish a renamed, updated Gold Book for BLM field offices and geothermal developers. The updated book would set standard procedures for exploration and geophysical work; lease permitting; legal compliance; construction and maintenance; and drilling, production, and utilization. The Secretary would consult other federal agencies, BLM field offices, and outside stakeholders before publishing and would review the book at least once every five years, updating it if needed.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

AZ • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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