H.R. 5576

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under geothermal leases, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · September 26, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Fulcher · Committee: Committee on Natural Resources

Table of contents

• H.R. 5576
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Geothermal production on Federal lands
  • SEC. 3. Geothermal leasing priority areas
  • SEC. 4. Findings

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act.

SEC. 2. Geothermal production on Federal lands

• The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 () is amended by adding at the end the following: 30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.
  • (a) Definitions
    • In this section:
      • The term geothermal exploration project means the drilling of a temperature gradient well, monitoring well, calibration well, or another geothermal exploratory well, including construction or making improvements for such activities, on lands for which the Secretary has issued a geothermal lease—
      • The term includes, with respect to exploration, development, or production (including direct use) of geothermal resources— covered activity
  • (b) Non-Major Federal action
    • Geothermal exploration projects and covered activities shall not be considered major Federal actions under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (). 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)
  • (c) Requirement To provide notice
    • The holder of a geothermal lease shall provide to the Secretary notice of their intent to carry out a geothermal exploration project at least 30 days before the start of drilling under the project.

SEC. 3. Geothermal leasing priority areas

• The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 () is further amended by adding at the end the following: 30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.
  • (a) Definition of covered land
    • In this section, the term covered land means land that is—
      • Federal land; and
      • not excluded from the development of geothermal energy under—
  • (b) Designation of geothermal leasing priority areas
    • The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall designate portions of covered land as geothermal leasing priority areas as soon as practicable, but not later than 3 years, after the date of enactment of this section.
  • (c) Criteria for selection
    • In determining which covered lands to designate as geothermal leasing priority areas under subsection (b), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall consider if—
      • the covered land is preferable for geothermal leasing;
      • production of geothermal energy on such land is economically viable, including if such land has access to methods of energy transmission; and
      • the designation would be in compliance with section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (), including subsection (c)(9) of such section. 43 U.S.C. 1712
  • (d) Review and modification
    • Not less frequently than once every 5 years, the Secretary shall—
      • review covered land and, if appropriate, make additional designations of geothermal leasing priority areas; and
      • review each area designated as a geothermal leasing priority area under this section, and, if appropriate, remove such designation.
  • (e) Programmatic environmental impact statement
    • (1) Initial designations
      • Not later than one year after the initial designation of a geothermal leasing priority area, the Secretary shall prepare a supplement to any final programmatic environmental impact statement for geothermal leasing that is the most recently finalized such statement with respect to covered land designated as a geothermal leasing priority area under subsection (b).
    • (2) Subsequent designations
      • Each designation of a geothermal leasing priority area under subsection (b) shall be included in a programmatic environmental impact statement for geothermal leasing or in a supplement to such a statement.
    • (3) Consultations
      • In developing any programmatic environmental impact statement for geothermal leasing or supplement to such a statement under this section, the Secretary shall consult, on an ongoing basis, with appropriate State, Tribal, and local governments, transmission infrastructure owners and operators, developers, and other appropriate entities.
    • (4) Procedure

SEC. 4. Findings

• Congress finds that—
  • pursuant to section 109 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (), as amended by section 321(b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (), the Bureau of Land Management announced on April 15, 2024, it had adopted categorical exclusions from the Department of the Navy and the United States Forest Service for geothermal exploration; and 42 U.S.C. 4336c; Public Law 118–5
  • if appropriately used, these categorical exclusions are expected to expedite the review and approval of geothermal exploration proposals on Bureau of Land Management lands.