Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that bill requires the Department of the Interior to increase the frequency of lease sales under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 and establishes deadlines for consideration of geothermal drilling permits.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of the Interior to increase the frequency of lease sales under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 and establishes deadlines for consideration of geothermal drilling permits (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Interior Department to increase the frequency of competitive geothermal lease sales in any state that has pending nominations of federal land to be leased for certain geothermal energy projects from 2 years to now every year (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if a lease sale is canceled or delayed, then the Interior Department must conduct a replacement sale during the same year (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Interior Department to, when conducting a lease sale in a state, offer all nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development and utilization under the resource management plan in effect for the state (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Interior Department to notify an applicant whether or not its application for a geothermal drilling permit is complete within 30 days of receiving the application (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if the Interior Department determines that the application is complete, then it must issue a final decision on the application within 30 days of the date they sent the notification (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text