Sponsors (6)
The bill speeds geothermal development and may expand clean energy and local jobs, but does so by narrowing environmental review and public input, increasing the risk of overlooked local environmental and health harms.
Utilities and energy developers can begin geothermal drilling and project construction sooner because NEPA categorical exclusions will presumptively apply to geothermal wells, reducing permitting delays.
Quicker permitting could increase domestic clean energy supply and support local jobs in rural areas with geothermal resources, helping expand low‑carbon generation.
Nearby residents and local governments will have fewer opportunities for public input and reduced environmental review of proposed geothermal drilling in their communities.
Shorter NEPA reviews increase the risk that site‑specific environmental impacts (water use, induced seismicity, habitat disturbance) are not fully evaluated before drilling begins.
Potential public‑health risks from geothermal operations (for example, water contamination or induced seismicity) could be overlooked if environmental assessments are bypassed more often.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Includes geothermal drilling in two NEPA categorical exclusions: (1) sites drilled within the last five years and (2) drilling in developed fields analyzed as reasonably foreseeable.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Susie Lee · Last progress February 6, 2025
Adds geothermal drilling to two narrow NEPA categorical exclusions that currently apply to oil and gas drilling: drilling at locations where drilling occurred within the prior five years, and drilling within a developed field that was analyzed as reasonably foreseeable in an approved land-use plan or NEPA document. The change is limited to inserting the word "geothermal" alongside existing references to "gas" and a small punctuation edit; it does not provide funding, create new programs, or set deadlines.