The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, introduced last week features five titles reflecting common ground on energy efficiency, infrastructure, supply, accountability, and land conservation.
In the supply title, it includes several provisions supporting geothermal energy. It would:
- Set a 50,000 MW National Geothermal Goal;
- Direct federal agencies to identify priority areas for development;
- Allow federal oil and gas lease holders to obtain a non-competitive geothermal lease to facilitate coproduction of geothermal power -- today 25 billion barrels of hot water are produced annually from oil and gas wells within the United States;
- Facilitate new discoveries by allowing the limited non-competitive leasing of adjacent lands where a new discovery has been made; and
- Provide geothermal exploration test projects a limited categorical exclusion provided the lands involved present no extraordinary circumstances.