U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho) introduced S. 2270 the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act, a bill to streamline the discovery and permitting process for geothermal energy projects. This bill will bring geothermal to parity with oil and gas exploration on public lands.
With 90 percent of viable geothermal resources located on federally managed lands, almost all geothermal projects are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. Currently, most geothermal exploration wells require an Environmental Assessment (EA) to be filed before exploration begins. This EA process for geothermal projects averages 10 months, meaning interested parties must wait nearly a year to determine if a viable geothermal resource even exists.
“The Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act will streamline the federal permitting process, unleashing the nation’s geothermal potential,” said Paul Thomsen, Vice President, Ormat Technologies & Chairman, Geothermal Resource Council Policy Committee. “This bill will allow Idaho to continue as a leader in geothermal production and further develop its indigenous renewable resources.”
