Requires faster decisions and more frequent opportunities for companies to develop geothermal energy.
This bill would make it easier and faster for companies to develop geothermal energy by requiring the government to hold lease sales every year instead of every two. It would also set clear deadlines for the Department of the Interior to approve or respond to geothermal drilling permits, speeding up the process for energy projects.
Today, the government holds geothermal lease sales every two years, and there are no specific rules for replacing canceled sales or offering a minimum percentage of nominated lands. There are also no set deadlines for processing geothermal drilling permits. This bill would require annual lease sales, mandate replacement sales, and ensure at least 75 percent of nominated parcels are offered. It would also set clear 30-day deadlines for initial permit responses and decisions, with a 10-day deadline for deferred decisions.
S 4960 · 119th Congress · July 14, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10
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