Federal agencies face 60-day deadline on geothermal permit decisions
Placed on the calendarH.R. 301Latest action
Sponsor: Celeste Maloy · Representative · UT
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Official title: GEO Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 301 sets a 60-day deadline for federal agencies to approve or deny geothermal energy permits on federal land after reviews are done.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 301 requires the federal government to approve or deny geothermal energy permit applications on federal land within 60 days of completing all required environmental and legal reviews. The deadline applies even when a lawsuit related to the project is pending, unless a court has issued a specific order halting the project.
Who does it affect?
Energy companies and developers seeking to build geothermal projects on federal land are directly affected, as are the federal agencies that process these applications, primarily the Department of the Interior. People living near proposed geothermal sites and parties involved in related legal challenges would also be more directly affected than the general public.
Why does it matter?
Currently, permit applications can sit without a decision for a long time, and this bill would impose a firm deadline on agency decision-making for this specific energy type. Courts retain their existing authority to block projects, and the bill does not change any party's right to sue or reduce judicial power.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 9, 2025
- House committee
- House voteYou are here · May 20, 2026
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 568.