I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2171 
To promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under existing 
geothermal leases, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 14, 2011 
Mr. LABRADOR (for himself, Mr. HASTINGS of Washington, Mr. LAMBORN, 
Mr. BROUN of Georgia, Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee, and Mr. WITTMAN) 
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-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:32 Jun 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2171.IH
H2171
rfrederick on DSKD9S0YB1PROD with BILLS
ploration test project’’ means the drilling of a well to test 
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 1 acre of soil or vegetation 
disruption at the location of each geothermal 
exploration well; and 
(B) not more than 5 acres of soil or vege-
tation 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; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:32 Jun 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2171.IH
H2171
rfrederick on DSKD9S0YB1PROD with BILLS
(4) is completed in less than 45 days, includ-
ing— 
(A) removal of any surface infrastructure 
from the site; and 
(B) restoration of the project site to ap-
proximately the condition that existed at the 
time the project began. 
(b) NEPA EXCLUSION.—Section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) 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 
exploration test project under subsection (a); 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:32 Jun 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2171.IH
H2171
rfrederick on DSKD9S0YB1PROD with BILLS
(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. 4321 et seq.) 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. 4321 et seq.) 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 Sec-
retary provides notice under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) 
that section 102(2)(C) of the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
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 lease-
holder intended to start of drilling under the project. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:32 Jun 15, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2171.IH
H2171
rfrederick on DSKD9S0YB1PROD with BILLS