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Geothermal Energy Advancement Act Advances to Streamline Clean Energy Permitting on Public Lands
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Key points
- The Geothermal Energy Advancement Act establishes a strict 60-day deadline for federal agency permitting decisions.
- The bipartisan bill creates a specialized Geothermal Permitting Task Force to speed up project approvals on public lands.
- Pending lawsuits will no longer automatically halt administrative permit processing unless a federal court issues an injunction.
NewsWK — Congress is advancing a bipartisan effort to unlock clean energy potential on federal lands by streamlining bureaucratic roadblocks.
Why it matters
Unlocking domestic energy sources on public lands strengthens local economies and secures the nation’s power grid. By cutting red tape, this legislation makes clean energy more accessible while protecting taxpayers through administrative cost recovery.
How does HR 5631 change geothermal energy development public lands?
The bill modernizes federal oversight to accelerate clean energy production. It establishes firm deadlines for permitting decisions and ensures that administrative work continues even during legal challenges. These reforms aim to reduce delays that have historically stalled critical renewable energy projects on public lands.
Specifically, the legislation amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Lawmakers included provisions requiring agency decisions within 60 days of environmental reviews. Additionally, pending lawsuits will no longer automatically pause the administrative permitting process unless a federal court issues an injunction.
Who supports the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act?
Colorado Representative Jeff Hurd and Nevada Representative Susie Lee lead this bipartisan effort. They introduced the legislation on September 30, 2025, to cut red tape and promote responsible energy development. The bill passed the House on June 2, 2026, and recently gained Senate committee approval on July 29, 2026.
What is the role of the Geothermal Permitting Task Force?
The newly proposed task force will coordinate permitting across federal agencies to resolve disputes quickly. Operating within the Bureau of Land Management, this group will streamline communication and publish annual progress reports. It works alongside a new Geothermal Ombudsman to ensure efficient project reviews.
This comprehensive geothermal permitting reform packages several key measures, including:
- Strict 60-day deadlines for permit decisions following legal reviews.
- Creation of a Geothermal Permitting Task Force to coordinate agencies.
- An updated “Gold Book” standards manual within 270 days.
- Administrative cost recovery for leases and permits through September 30, 2033.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
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