118 HR 7370 IH: Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-02-15 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7370IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 15, 2024Mr. Curtis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for processing applications related to geothermal leasing.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act.

2.

Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing

Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1003) is amended by adding at the end the following: (h)

Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing

(1)

Requirement to process applications

Notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil action that affects an application for a geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization or approval under a valid existing geothermal lease, the Secretary shall, unless a United States Federal court vacated the applicable geothermal lease, process each such application not later than 30 days after completing all environmental documents required under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) for the authorization or approval. (2)

No new authority for Federal courts

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as providing authority to a Federal court to vacate a geothermal lease. .