Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act

To promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under existing geothermal leases, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act 2. Geothermal exploration notice and exclusion (a) Definition of geothermal exploration test project In this section the term geothermal exploration test project (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) (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) (ii) that section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (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) December 22, 2014 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Summary: 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: causes less than five acres of soil or vegetation disruption at the location of each well and no more than five additional acres of disruption during access or egress to the test site, is developed no deeper than 2,500 feet and less than eight inches in diameter, is developed 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, is developed without construction of new roads other than upgrading of existing drainage crossings for safety purposes and with the use of rubber-tired digging or drilling equipment vehicles, is completed in less than 45 days, and 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 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.