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HR6474FEDERALIN_COMMITTEE

Proposed Changes to Speed Up Geothermal Energy Projects

Original title: To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas.

September 25, 2024

EnergyGeothermalEnvironmental PolicyNatural ResourcesFederal Regulation

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

If passed, this bill would reduce the time and regulatory requirements for geothermal developers to begin exploration or development on federal lands, potentially accelerating the deployment of geothermal energy infrastructure.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Geothermal energy developers

These entities would face fewer regulatory hurdles and potentially shorter wait times for project approvals on federal lands.

Federal land management agencies

These agencies would be required to apply streamlined review procedures to geothermal applications instead of standard environmental assessments.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Background

  • Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 currently provides streamlined environmental review processes for certain oil and gas exploration and development activities. context

Summary

This bill aims to speed up the approval process for geothermal energy projects by allowing them to use the same streamlined environmental review procedures currently available for oil and gas projects. It specifically targets areas that have already been studied or developed for energy production.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

If passed, this bill would reduce the time and regulatory requirements for geothermal developers to begin exploration or development on federal lands, potentially accelerating the deployment of geothermal energy infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this bill change?
It adds geothermal energy projects to a list of energy activities that can bypass certain lengthy environmental review requirements under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Does this apply to all geothermal projects?
The bill specifically targets geothermal exploration and development in areas that have been previously studied or developed.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Regulatory Parity for Geothermal

The bill seeks to align geothermal energy regulatory treatment with the existing streamlined framework for oil and gas, signaling a policy shift toward treating geothermal as a priority energy resource.

Energy Policy Act of 2005Geothermal Steam Act of 1970

Connected Entities

organizationCommittee on Natural Resources“Committee to which the bill was referred”Map →
organizationHouse of Representatives“Committee to which the bill was referred”Map →
bill_number390“Section of the Energy Policy Act”Map →
bill_number42 U.S.C. 15942“Section of the Energy Policy Act”Map →
organizationU.S. Government Publishing Office“Source of the document”Map →
bill_number30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.“Geothermal Steam Act referenced”Map →
date1970“Year of the Geothermal Steam Act”Map →
personMrs. Steel“Sponsor of the bill”Map →
bill_numberEnergy Policy Act of 2005“The Act being amended”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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