Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Exploring for Geo-
thermal Energy on Federal Lands Act’’. 
SEC. 2. GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION NOTICE AND EXCLU-
SION. 
(a) DEFINITION OF GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION TEST 
PROJECT.—In this section the term ‘‘geothermal explo-
ration test project’’ means the drilling of a well to test or 
explore for geothermal resources on lands leased by the De-
partment 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 ex-
ploration 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; 
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(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 Na-
tional 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 DETERMINA-
TION.— 
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(1) REQUIREMENT
TO
PROVIDE
NOTICE.—A 
leaseholder intending to carry out a geothermal explo-
ration test project shall provide notice to the Sec-
retary 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 no-
tice and determine whether it is a geothermal ex-
ploration test project under subsection (a); and 
(B) notify the leaseholder— 
(i) that under subsection (b) of this sec-
tion, section 102(2)(C) of the National En-
vironmental 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 Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) applies to the 
project, including clear and detailed find-
ings 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 sec-
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tion 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 of drilling under the project. 
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Union Calendar No. 167 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 2171 
[Report No. 112–251] 
A BILL 
To promote timely exploration for geothermal re-
sources under existing geothermal leases, and for 
other purposes. 
OCTOBER 14, 2011 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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