119 HR 5617 RH: Geothermal Gold Book Development Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-05-20 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.

IBUnion Calendar No. 573119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5617[Report No. 119–659]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 30, 2025Ms. Ansari (for herself and Mr. Huffman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesMay 20, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on September 30, 2025A BILLTo direct the Department of the Interior to identify and publish standard procedures and guidelines for geothermal leasing and permit issuance for environmentally responsible geothermal operations on Federal lands.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Geothermal Gold Book Development Act.

2.

Publication of Gold Book for geothermal operations on Federal lands

(a)

Identification

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with other relevant Federal agencies, shall identify standard procedures and guidelines for efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting to the extent such standard procedures and guidelines are not addressed in the fourth edition of the Bureau of Land Management’s Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development, commonly known as the Gold Book and last revised in 2007.(b)

Publication

(1)

In general

Not later than 270 days after identifying standard procedures and guidelines under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall publish an updated version of the Gold Book incorporating any changes necessary to support efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting for use by the field offices of the Bureau of Land Management and geothermal operators.(2)

Renaming Gold Book

The Secretary of the Interior shall rename the Gold Book to reflect the incorporation of standard procedures and guidelines related to geothermal development.(c)

Consultation

Before publishing an updated version of the Gold Book, the Secretary of the Interior shall consult with—(1)other relevant Federal agencies, including field offices of the Bureau of Land Management; and(2)outside stakeholders, including developers and other experts.(d)

Inclusions

Each updated version of the Gold Book shall include standard procedures and guidelines for ensuring the efficient review and approval of environmentally responsible geothermal development, including—(1)exploration and geophysical operations;(2)permitting lease operations;(3)compliance with all applicable laws and regulations;(4)construction and maintenance; and(5)drilling, production, and utilization operations.(e)

Periodic revision

The Secretary of the Interior shall—(1)at least once every five years, review the most recent version of the Gold Book; and(2)if determined necessary by the Secretary of the Interior to support efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting, publish an updated version of the Gold Book.

May 20, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed