Sponsors (6)
The bill speeds deployment of geothermal energy and related jobs by narrowing NEPA review, but it does so at the cost of reduced public input and increased risk that local environmental and health impacts won’t be fully assessed.
Rural communities and the domestic energy sector can see faster deployment of geothermal power, increasing clean energy supply and supporting local jobs.
Geothermal developers and energy companies can begin drilling sooner because NEPA categorical exclusions now presumptively apply to geothermal wells, reducing permitting time.
Residents near projects face increased risk that potential public-health hazards from geothermal operations (e.g., water contamination, induced seismicity) could be overlooked if environmental assessments are bypassed.
Shorter NEPA review raises the risk that site-specific environmental impacts (water use, seismicity, habitat disturbance) are not fully evaluated before drilling.
Nearby residents and communities will have reduced environmental review and fewer opportunities for public input on geothermal drilling decisions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Extends two NEPA categorical exclusions that applied to oil/gas drilling to also cover qualifying geothermal drilling, streamlining review for those activities.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Susie Lee · Last progress February 6, 2025
Adds geothermal drilling to two existing NEPA categorical exclusions that currently apply to oil and gas drilling, so qualifying geothermal projects can bypass more detailed environmental reviews. Also includes a short-title provision and makes a minor punctuation change to the cited statute. No new funding, deadlines, or additional program authorities are created.