A senate committee must act next: committee consideration.
Legislative Progress
Senate
House
President
Law
Unlikely to pass
While geothermal energy has some bipartisan support, the strict mandates on leasing and fast-tracking permits often face opposition from environmental groups and their allies in Congress.
Key Points
This bill aims to speed up the development of geothermal energy, which is heat from the earth used to make electricity. It requires the government to hold lease sales for energy companies every year instead of every two years.
If a planned sale is canceled or delayed, the Department of the Interior must hold a replacement sale in the same year. This ensures that land is consistently available for new energy projects.
The government would be required to offer at least 75 percent of the land areas that companies ask for. The other 25 percent must also be offered unless officials provide a written explanation citing specific legal or environmental problems.
New rules would set strict deadlines for drilling permits. The government would have 30 days to tell a company if their application is complete and another 30 days to either approve it or explain exactly what else is needed to finish the process.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
3 milestones3 actions
Jul 15, 2026Senate
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Jul 14, 2026Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Jul 14, 2026
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
