Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act
This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for the Department of the Interior to process applications related to geothermal leases. Specifically, Interior must process each application for a geothermal drilling permit or other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease within 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable federal laws and regulations (including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the National Historic Preservation Act) unless a U.S. federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the underlying lease.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7370 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7370
To amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for
processing applications related to geothermal leasing.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 15, 2024
Mr. Curtis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for
processing applications related to geothermal leasing.
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 ``Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act''
or the ``GEO Act''.
SEC. 2. EFFECT OF PENDING CIVIL ACTIONS ON PROCESSING APPLICATIONS
RELATED TO GEOTHERMAL LEASING.
Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1003) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Effect of Pending Civil Actions on Processing Applications
Related to Geothermal Leasing.--
``(1) Requirement to process applications.--Notwithstanding
the existence of any pending civil action that affects an
application for a geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice,
notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization or
approval under a valid existing geothermal lease, the Secretary
shall, unless a United States Federal court vacated the
applicable geothermal lease, process each such application not
later than 30 days after completing all environmental documents
required under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) for the authorization
or approval.
``(2) No new authority for federal courts.--Nothing in this
subsection shall be construed as providing authority to a
Federal court to vacate a geothermal lease.''.
<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 in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-561.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-561.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 463.
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5719-5720)
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DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7370.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5719)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5719)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.