Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025

House Votes

This bill lets the Department of the Interior charge companies that apply for or hold geothermal leases on federal land to pay back the government’s costs for processing permits and for inspections and monitoring of drilling and related work. This authority would last until September 30, 2032. Interior can lower these payments if full repayment would cause financial hardship or if a lower amount would help grow geothermal energy. Money collected could be used, if approved in future budget laws, to speed up permit processing and cover inspections and monitoring. Within five years, Interior must publish a report on how this policy affected its geothermal program and suggest any updates.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Applicants for, and holders of, geothermal leases on federal land.
• What changes: Interior may require payback for permit processing and inspections; it can reduce amounts for hardship or to encourage more geothermal use; collected funds support permitting and oversight when approved in a budget law.
• When: From the date the bill becomes law through September 30, 2032; a public report is due within five years.