Bill would speed geothermal permits, set a pending-lawsuit rule, and let Interior recover permitting costs

The Interior Secretary would have to approve and issue, or deny, each geothermal application within 60 days after completing all legal requirements, even if a civil lawsuit is pending. It covers drilling permits, sundry notices, notices to proceed, rights-of-way, and other authorizations under valid existing geothermal leases. The rule does not apply if a federal court vacates or issues an injunction against the lease or authorization. The bill does not give federal courts new authority. The 60 days start after completing all requirements under laws such as NEPA and the Endangered Species Act.

The Secretary may require geothermal lease applicants and holders to reimburse the government's reasonable costs of processing applications and of inspecting and monitoring operations. It covers processing of lease applications and approvals, and inspecting exploration, drilling, well plugging, and construction, operation, and reclamation of well sites and facilities. The Secretary must consider any cooperative cost-share agreement. The Secretary may reduce the amount for economic hardship or to promote the greatest use of geothermal resources. Collected money is available only to the extent provided in appropriations acts. This authority runs from enactment through September 30, 2033. A report is due within 5 years.

The Secretary would appoint a Geothermal Ombudsman in the Bureau of Land Management and set up a Geothermal Permitting Task Force led by the ombudsman. The ombudsman would link field offices and national leaders, help resolve disputes with applicants, track permit timelines, develop best practices, and coordinate with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. Staff could be assigned across offices, and retention allowances up to 25 percent of basic pay may be paid, subject to appropriations. The ombudsman must send Congress a yearly report on the task force and permitting effectiveness. The ombudsman and task force are due within 60 days of enactment.

The Secretary would identify standard procedures for geothermal leasing and permitting and publish an updated, renamed version of the Gold Book. The Gold Book is the Bureau of Land Management's surface operating standards for oil and gas, last revised in 2007. The update would cover exploration, lease operations, construction, drilling, and production. The Secretary must consult other federal agencies, Bureau field offices, developers, and experts first. The Secretary must review the Gold Book at least every five years and update it if necessary. Procedures are due within 1 year of enactment and publication within 270 days after that.

The bill would change how the 10-year royalty rate period is counted and add geothermal resources to a National Environmental Policy Act review provision. Royalty rates for electricity from a geothermal electric generating facility would apply each year of the 10 years after its in-service date, instead of the first 10 years of production under the lease. The bill also adds geothermal to section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The excerpt does not show the royalty percentages or what section 390 requires.