GEO Act

Summary

Requires the Secretary to approve or deny geothermal leasing and related authorizations within 60 days after the agency has completed all required legal and regulatory steps, even if there is a pending civil lawsuit, unless a federal court has specifically vacated or enjoined that authorization. It preserves courts’ power to vacate or enjoin specific authorizations and explicitly applies after completion of required reviews under laws such as NEPA and the Endangered Species Act.

• Requires a federal decision on geothermal leasing-related authorizations within 60 days after agencies complete required legal and regulatory reviews.
• Applies even if there is a pending civil lawsuit, unless a federal court has vacated or enjoined the specific authorization.
• Defines "authorization" broadly to cover licenses, permits, approvals, findings, determinations, administrative decisions, and required interagency consultations.
• Explicitly ties the 60-day deadline to completion of reviews under laws such as NEPA and the Endangered Species Act.
• Preserves courts’ existing authority to vacate or enjoin specific federal authorizations.
• Does not appropriate funds or create new programmatic spending; agencies must meet timelines within existing resources.
• Intended to speed geothermal project approvals and increase certainty for developers and investors.
• Could lead to more litigation focused on obtaining injunctions or vacatur rather than using lawsuits solely to delay agency decisions.