The House of Representatives has passed a legislative package focused on geothermal energy, which includes elements from various bills authored by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The Geothermal Energy Advancement Act was approved through a voice vote on Tuesday, aiming to expedite the approval process for geothermal projects that harness heat from the Earth to generate clean energy.
The legislation seeks to address lengthy federal permitting requirements that critics argue hinder the viability of geothermal energy in the market. The bill, introduced by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO), mandates the appointment of a geothermal ombudsman by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum within 60 days to facilitate the permitting process. Additionally, it requires the establishment of a geothermal permitting task force and mandates that applications for geothermal-related projects be processed within the same timeframe.
The bill also includes provisions to expand categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for certain geothermal projects, reducing the need for extensive environmental assessments. This legislative effort comes amid ongoing discussions in Congress regarding broader reforms to streamline the federal permitting process for various energy and infrastructure projects, as both parties have expressed concerns about delays caused by environmental reviews and bureaucratic challenges.
