IB 

Union Calendar No. 521 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 1363 

[Report No. 113–690] 

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 

DECEMBER 22, 2014 

Additional sponsor: Mr. AMODEI

DECEMBER 22, 2014 

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 

and ordered to be printed 


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•HR 1363 RH

A BILL 

To promote timely exploration for geothermal resources 

under existing geothermal leases, and for other purposes. 


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1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Exploring for Geo5 thermal Energy on Federal Lands Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION NOTICE AND EXCLU7 SION. 

8 (a) DEFINITION OF GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION

9 TEST PROJECT.—In this section the term ‘‘geothermal ex10 ploration test project’’ means the drilling of a well to test 

11 or explore for geothermal resources on lands leased by the 

12 Department of the Interior for the development and pro13 duction of geothermal resources, that— 

14 (1) is carried out by the holder of the lease; 

15 (2) causes— 

16 (A) less than 5 acres of soil or vegetation 

17 disruption at the location of each geothermal 

18 exploration well; and 

19 (B) not more than an additional 5 acres of 

20 soil or vegetation disruption during access or 

21 egress to the test site; 

22 (3) is developed— 

23 (A) no deeper than 2,500 feet; 

24 (B) less than 8 inches in diameter; 


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1 (C) in a manner that does not require off2 road motorized access other than to and from 

3 the well site along an identified off-road route 

4 for which notice is provided to the Secretary of 

5 the Interior under subsection (c); 

6 (D) without construction of new roads 

7 other than upgrading of existing drainage cross8 ings for safety purposes; and 

9 (E) with the use of rubber-tired digging or 

10 drilling equipment vehicles; 

11 (4) is completed in less than 45 days, including 

12 the removal of any surface infrastructure from the 

13 site; and 

14 (5) requires the restoration of the project site 

15 within 3 years to approximately the condition that 

16 existed at the time the project began, unless the site 

17 is subsequently used as part of energy development 

18 on the lease. 

19 (b) NEPA EXCLUSION.—Section 102(2)(C) of the 

20 National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 

21 4332(2)(C)) shall not apply with respect to a project that 

22 the Secretary of the Interior determines under subsection 

23 (c) is a geothermal exploration test project. 

24 (c) NOTICE OF INTENT; REVIEW AND DETERMINA25 TION.— 


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1 (1) REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NOTICE.—A 

2 leaseholder intending to carry out a geothermal ex3 ploration test project shall provide notice to the Sec4 retary of the Interior not later than 30 days prior 

5 to the start of drilling under the project. 

6 (2) REVIEW OF PROJECT.—The Secretary shall 

7 by not later than 10 days after receipt of a notice 

8 of intent under paragraph (1) from a leaseholder— 

9 (A) review the project described in the no10 tice and determine whether it is a geothermal 

11 exploration test project under subsection (a); 

12 and 

13 (B) notify the leaseholder— 

14 (i) that under subsection (b) of this 

15 section, section 102(2)(C) of the National 

16 Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 

17 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) does not apply to the 

18 project; or 

19 (ii) that section 102(2)(C) of the Na20 tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

21 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) applies to the 

22 project, including clear and detailed find23 ings on any deficiencies in the project that 

24 preclude the application of subsection (b) 

25 of this section to the project. 


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1 (3) OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDY.—If the Sec2 retary provides notice under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) 

3 that section 102(2)(C) of the National Environ4 mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) 

5 applies to the project, the Secretary shall provide the 

6 leaseholder an opportunity to remedy the deficiencies 

7 described in the notice prior to the date the lease8 holder intended to start drilling under the project. 


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Union Calendar No. 521 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 1363 

[Report No. 113–690] 

A BILL 

To promote timely exploration for geothermal reother purposes. sources under existing geothermal leases, and for 

DECEMBER 22, 2014 

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 

State of the Union and ordered to be printed 


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