USA:

Geothermal Exploration and Technology Act of 2011 - Update (eLobbyist )

US Senate Bill 1142 - 112th Congress

February 7 2012 - Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 314. 

View latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

History
2012-02-07 - Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 314.
2012-02-07 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with amendments. With written report No. 112-145.
2011-12-15 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
2011-07-12 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
2011-05-26 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsors

Sen Reid, Harry
Sen Begich, Mark
Sen Tester, Jon
Sen Murkowski, Lisa

Summary

Geothermal Exploration and Technology Act of 2011

Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: 

1. Establish a direct loan program for high risk geothermal exploration wells; and 
2. Give preference to applicants for loans to carry out projects that would explore previously unexplored, underexplored, or unproven geothermal resources in a variety of geologic and geographic settings. 

Requires data from exploratory wells to be provided to the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior for use in mapping national geothermal resources. Authorizes the Secretary to base the cost share percentage for loans on a sliding scale, with higher federal shares awarded to projects with higher risks. Establishes the Geothermal Investment Fund to carry out such program. 

Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require the: 

1. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to establish a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy; and
2. Secretary to identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts. 

Directs the Secretary to: 

1. Make grants to state and local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit entities, utilities, and for-profit companies to promote the development of geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy; 
2. Give priority to proposals that apply to large buildings, commercial districts, and residential communities; and 
3. Conduct a national solicitation for grant applications. 

Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to provide that land under an oil and gas lease issued pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act or the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands that is subject to an approved application for a permit to drill and from which oil and gas production is occurring may be available for leasing, if the lease would serve the public interest, for geothermal drilling in order to provide for the co-production of geothermal energy with oil and gas.