Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

House Bill

H.R. 5576

119th Congress

Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

In Committee

Introduced:Dec 16, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Russ Fulcher

R - ID

Cosponsors

3

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Energy

Summary

This bill streamlines geothermal energy development on federal lands by exempting small-scale exploration projects from NEPA environmental review requirements and establishing "geothermal leasing priority areas" for expedited permitting. The legislation creates a 10-year environmental review validity period for designated priority areas.

Latest Action

Subcommittee Hearings Held

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill streamlines geothermal energy development on federal lands by exempting small-scale exploration projects from NEPA environmental review requirements and establishing "geothermal leasing priority areas" for expedited permitting. The legislation creates a 10-year environmental review validity period for designated priority areas.

Last updated: 12/26/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Exempts small geothermal exploration wells (under 13 3/8" casing, under 8 acres disturbance) from NEPA review
Requires Interior Secretary to designate geothermal leasing priority areas within 3 years
Mandates priority area review and potential redesignation every 5 years
Environmental analysis for priority areas remains valid for 10 years
Acknowledges BLM's 2024 adoption of categorical exclusions for geothermal exploration
Requires lease holder notice 30 days before exploration drilling

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Geothermal energy developers will benefit from significantly reduced permitting timelines and regulatory burden. Federal land managers will need to identify and designate priority areas. Environmental groups may oppose reduced NEPA oversight. Rural western communities with geothermal resources could see increased economic development.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Energy

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

5576, 119th Congress (2025). "Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-hr-5576