This bill adds two new sections to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. It defines a narrow class of "geothermal exploration projects" (small, short-term exploratory wells and related work on leased federal land) and sets rules for those projects. To qualify, a project must be done by the lease holder, use small-diameter casing (outer diameter under 13 3/8 inches), keep unreclaimed surface disturbance under 8 acres (not counting certain roads), finish within 180 days with surface infrastructure removed, and restore the site within 3 years unless the area later becomes part of energy development. Certain related activities (geotechnical work, some off-road travel in established rights-of-way, and work on existing access roads) are listed as covered activities. The bill says these exploration projects and covered activities are not "major Federal actions" under NEPA. Lease holders must give the Secretary at least 30 days' notice before starting drilling.
The bill also requires the Secretary, working with the Secretary of Energy, to identify "geothermal leasing priority areas" on covered federal land within 3 years. It lists criteria for choosing areas (suitability, economic viability including transmission access, and consistency with land-use planning law). The Secretary must review and update designations at least every 5 years. The bill requires programmatic environmental impact statements or supplements for priority areas (initial supplement within one year) and ongoing consultation with state, Tribal, and local governments and infrastructure owners. For lease sales in designated areas, the bill limits repeated NEPA analysis for 10 years after a programmatic document unless new significant information appears, and sets conditions for analysis after that 10-year period.
Section 4 of the bill states findings that certain categorical exclusions for geothermal exploration were adopted in 2024 and says those exclusions are expected to speed review of exploration on Bureau of Land Management lands.
No publicly available information about estimated costs, revenues, or budgetary effects is included in the bill text provided.
The bill states that designating priority leasing areas and adopting narrower rules for small exploration projects will promote timely exploration of geothermal resources. The findings in the bill note that categorical exclusions adopted in 2024 are expected to expedite review and approval of geothermal exploration proposals on Bureau of Land Management lands.
No publicly available information about opponents' views or stated objections is included in the bill text provided.