GEO Act

Bill: 119-hr-301
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2]
Introduced: 2025-01-09
Policy area: Energy
Latest action: action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-01-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act</strong></p><p>This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for the Department of the Interior to process applications related to geothermal leases. Specifically, Interior must process each application for a geothermal drilling permit or other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease within 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable federal laws and regulations (including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the National Historic Preservation Act) unless a U.S. federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the underlying lease. &nbsp;</p>

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 301 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 9, 2025 Ms. Maloy introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for processing applications related to geothermal leasing.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act . 2. Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1003 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (h) Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing (1) Requirement to process applications Notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil action that affects an application for a geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or any other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease, the Secretary shall, unless a United States Federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the applicable geothermal lease, geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization, approve and issue, or deny, each such application not later than 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable Federal laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code. (2) No new authority for Federal courts Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as modifying any existing authority of a Federal court to vacate or provide injunctive relief for a geothermal lease, geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization. (3) Definition of authorization In this subsection, the term authorization means any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision issued by a Federal agency, or any interagency consultation, that is required or authorized under Federal law or regulations in order to site, construct, reconstruct, or commence operations of a geothermal project administered by a Federal agency. .