Labrador Geothermal Bill Passes the House

Statement

Fellow Idahoans,

Two weeks ago the House of Representatives passed a bill that I introduced, the "Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act" (H.R. 2171). The legislation passed by a bipartisan vote of 244 to 176. I attached it as an amendment to H.R. 3408, or the "Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy and Resource Security (PIONEERS) Act," sponsored by Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) since both bills dealt with expanding domestic energy production.

For far too long, the federal government has imposed regulatory burdens that have impeded economic growth and limited our access to domestic energy. This legislation which passed out of the Natural Resources Committee on a bipartisan basis establishes a common sense, streamlined policy for the development of clean geothermal energy resources that will create jobs and provide low cost energy to American families.

In Idaho, we have an abundance of geothermal energy potential that we could harness more efficiently. Our state has a unique history of developing geothermal energy. I served in the Idaho Legislature where our 100-year-old Statehouse is entirely heated with geothermal energy, as are many downtown Boise office buildings, old and new. The annual operating costs for generating this abundant heat are essentially zero.

Current law requires each geothermal exploration hole to go through an individual environmental review and approval process, discouraging energy companies from investing in projects and curtailing our access to geothermal energy. Each individual environmental review process can take 10 months to 2 years to complete.

Now more than ever, we should encourage private enterprise by removing the regulatory burdens that stall our economic growth. My amendment does just that.

What the legislation does--

It improves regulations that hamper geothermal exploration -- and allows projects to be done without the construction of new roads and without the use of off-road motorized vehicles -- to ensure minimal environmental damage.

Protects the environment by requiring the removal of any surface infrastructure to minimize surface impact.

Sets firm deadlines for permitting to occur, providing the geothermal companies the certainty they need to make appropriate business decisions.

What the amendment does not do --

Subsidize geothermal energy. It merely eliminates a regulatory hurdle that is unique to the geothermal development process, allowing increased deployment without a tax credit or other cost to the taxpayer.

Allow geothermal development to occur in pristine areas that are currently off limits to exploration. The bill simply removes bureaucratic layers that companies must endure after they obtain a lease.

I am pleased that my colleagues have chosen to support my amendment, which will ease regulatory burdens born by geothermal companies seeking to find new and innovative ways to harness America's rich natural resources. Now more than ever, we should encourage private enterprise by removing regulatory obstacles that stall America's economic growth and curtail our access to affordable energy.

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