I 
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 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 ex-
ploration test project’’ means the drilling of a well to test 
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or explore for geothermal resources on lands leased by the 
Department of the Interior for the development and pro-
duction 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 cross-
ings for safety purposes; and 
(E) with the use of rubber-tired digging or 
drilling equipment vehicles; 
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(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 DETERMINA-
TION.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT
TO
PROVIDE
NOTICE.—A 
leaseholder intending to carry out a geothermal ex-
ploration 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 
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