Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-7422
Sponsor: Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]
Introduced: 2024-02-20 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Land use and conservation
Mining
Pollution liability
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2024-02-20
text: 

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024

This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to give the Department of the Interior the authority to collect certain fees from applicants for or holders of geothermal leases. Specifically, Interior may direct those applicants or leaseholders to reimburse the United States for costs from (1) processing applications for geothermal leases on federal land, such as applications for geothermal drilling permits; and (2) inspecting and monitoring geothermal exploration and development activities, including reclamation activities.
 
action_date: 2024-09-12
text: 

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024

This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to give the Department of the Interior the authority to collect certain fees from holders of geothermal leases through September 30, 2031. Specifically, Interior may direct those leaseholders to reimburse the United States for costs from (1) processing applications for geothermal leases on federal land, such as applications for geothermal drilling permits; and (2) monitoring geothermal exploration and development activities, including reclamation activities. Interior may reduce the amount of the fee if it determines that (1) the full reimbursement would impose an economic hardship on the leaseholder, or (2) a less than full reimbursement is necessary to promote the greatest use of geothermal resources.

Interior must use those fees for processing applications for geothermal leases and monitoring related exploration and development activities. 

Within five years of the bill's enactment, Interior must submit to Congress a report that includes an assessment of how the fees affect Interior's geothermal leasing program and any recommendations for updates to the fees and the program. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5726-5727)
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5726-5727)
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7422.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5726-5727)
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-09-12
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 566.
action_date: 2024-09-12
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-670.
action_date: 2024-09-12
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-670.
action_date: 2024-04-16
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-04-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2024-04-16
text: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
action_date: 2024-03-06
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held
action_date: 2024-03-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2024-02-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2024-02-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2024-02-20
text: Introduced in House