Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act - Exempts projects determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be geothermal exploration test projects from environmental impact statement requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
Defines a "geothermal exploration test project" as the drilling of a well to test or explore for geothermal resources on lands leased by the Department of the Interior for the development and production of geothermal resources, that is completed in less than 45 days, that causes less than five acres of soil or vegetation disruption at the location of each well and no more than five additional acres of soil or vegetation disruption during access or egress to the test site, and that is developed: (1) no deeper than 2,500 feet, (2) less than eight inches in diameter, (3) in a manner that does not require off-road motorized access other than to and from the well site along an identified off-road route, (4) without construction of new roads other than upgrading of existing drainage crossings for safety purposes, and (5) with the use of rubber-tired digging or drilling equipment vehicles. Requires the restoration of the project site within three years to approximately the condition that existed at the time the project began, unless the site is subsequently used as part of energy development on the lease.
Requires: (1) a leaseholder intending to carry out a geothermal exploration test project to provide notice to the Secretary within 30 days prior to the start of drilling, (2) the Secretary to review a project within 10 days of receipt of such notice and to notify such leaseholder either that such NEPA requirements do not apply or that project deficiencies preclude the NEPA exemption, and (3) the Secretary to allow such leaseholder an opportunity to remedy any such deficiencies prior to the date such leaseholder intended to start drilling.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2171 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2171
To promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under existing
geothermal leases, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 14, 2011
Mr. Labrador (for himself, Mr. Hastings of Washington, Mr. Lamborn, Mr.
Broun of Georgia, Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, and Mr. Wittman) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under existing
geothermal leases, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Exploring for Geothermal Energy on
Federal Lands Act''.
SEC. 2. GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION NOTICE AND EXCLUSION.
(a) Definition of Geothermal Exploration Test Project.--In this
section the term ``geothermal exploration test project'' means the
drilling of a well to test or explore for geothermal resources on lands
leased by the Department of the Interior for the development and
production of geothermal resources, that--
(1) is carried out by the holder of the lease;
(2) causes--
(A) less than 1 acre of soil or vegetation
disruption at the location of each geothermal
exploration well; and
(B) not more than 5 acres of soil or vegetation
disruption during access or egress to the test site;
(3) is developed--
(A) no deeper than 2,500 feet;
(B) less than 8 inches in diameter;
(C) in a manner that does not require off-road
motorized access other than to and from the well site
along an identified off-road route for which notice is
provided to the Secretary of the Interior under
subsection (c);
(D) without construction of new roads other than
upgrading of existing drainage crossings for safety
purposes; and
(E) with the use of rubber-tired digging or
drilling equipment vehicles; and
(4) is completed in less than 45 days, including--
(A) removal of any surface infrastructure from the
site; and
(B) restoration of the project site to
approximately the condition that existed at the time
the project began.
(b) NEPA Exclusion.--Section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall not
apply with respect to a project that the Secretary of the Interior
determines under subsection (c) is a geothermal exploration test
project.
(c) Notice of Intent; Review and Determination.--
(1) Requirement to provide notice.--A leaseholder intending
to carry out a geothermal exploration test project shall
provide notice to the Secretary of the Interior not later than
30 days prior to the start of drilling under the project.
(2) Review of project.--The Secretary shall by not later
than 10 days after receipt of a notice of intent under
paragraph (1) from a leaseholder--
(A) review the project described in the notice and
determine whether it is a geothermal exploration test
project under subsection (a);
(B) notify the leaseholder--
(i) that under subsection (b) of this
section, section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) does not apply to the project; or
(ii) that section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) applies to the project, including
clear and detailed findings on any deficiencies
in the project that preclude the application of
subsection (b) of this section to the project..
(3) Opportunity to remedy.--If the Secretary provides
notice under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) that section 102(2)(C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.) applies to the project, the Secretary shall provide the
leaseholder an opportunity to remedy the deficiencies described
in the notice prior to the date the leaseholder intended to
start of drilling under the project.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 16.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-251.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-251.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 167.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line