Federal geothermal leasing would move to annual sales under HR 1687

What does this do?

HR 1687 requires the federal government to hold geothermal lease sales on public land at least once a year, up from the current once every two years. If a sale is canceled or delayed, a replacement sale must be held in the same calendar year. The bill also sets two back-to-back 30-day deadlines for processing drilling permit applications: 30 days to confirm completeness and 30 more days to issue a final decision.

Who does it affect?

Energy companies seeking to develop geothermal projects on federal land and federal land managers at the Department of the Interior are directly affected. States in the western United States where geothermal resources exist, nearby local communities, and electricity users are also affected indirectly.

Why does it matter?

More frequent lease sales and firm permit deadlines would reduce the time companies wait to begin development on federal land. Because geothermal is one source of power generation, changes to its development pace could indirectly affect electricity supply in affected regions.

Where does it stand?