Geothermal Gold Book Development Act
Sponsored By: Representative Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
In Committee
Summary
Creates a national "Gold Book" of standard procedures to speed and guide geothermal leasing and permitting on federal lands. The bill would require the Department of the Interior, working with other federal agencies and outside stakeholders, to identify standard procedures within one year and publish the Gold Book within 180 days after that identification.
Show full summary
- Geothermal developers and operators: Would get a single set of procedures for lease sales, exploration, permitting, drilling, production, and appeals, making approvals more predictable.
- Bureau of Land Management field offices: Would use the Gold Book as uniform guidance to reduce variance in reviews and decisions across offices.
- Department of the Interior and other agencies: Would be required to consult with BLM field offices and outside experts before publishing and to review and update the Gold Book at least once every five years.
- Environmental and permitting process: The Gold Book would include measures to ensure efficient, environmentally responsible development and identify relevant categorical exclusions at each stage.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Standard rules for geothermal permits on federal lands
This bill would require the Interior Department to publish a public "Gold Book" of standard steps for geothermal leasing and permits on federal lands. Interior would identify the procedures within one year of enactment and publish the Gold Book within 180 days after that. Before publishing, Interior would consult with BLM offices, other agencies, developers, and experts. The guide would cover lease sales, exploration, permitting, compliance, construction, drilling, production, appeals, and when categorical exclusions apply. Interior would review and update the guide at least every five years. BLM field offices and geothermal operators would use it.
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.
View on Congress.gov