(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act - (Sec. 2) Exempts geothermal exploration test projects from environmental impact statement requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) if the project:
Requires a holder of a geothermal lease on federal land to notify the Department of the Interior within 30 days before the start of drilling under a geothermal exploration test project. Gives Interior 10 days to review a project and notify a leaseholder that the project is exempted from NEPA requirements or that project deficiencies preclude the exemption. Requires Interior to allow a leaseholder an opportunity to remedy any deficiencies before the date on which the leaseholder intended to start drilling.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1363 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1363
To promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under existing
geothermal leases, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 21, 2013
Mr. Labrador 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 5 acres of soil or vegetation
disruption at the location of each geothermal
exploration well; and
(B) not more than an additional 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;
(4) is completed in less than 45 days, including the
removal of any surface infrastructure from the site; and
(5) requires the restoration of the project site within 3
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.
(b) NEPA Exclusion.--Section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) 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); and
(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.
4332(2)(C)) 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.
4332(2)(C)) 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.
4332(2)(C)) 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 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.
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 113-690.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 113-690.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 521.
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