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H.R. 5617119th CongressPlaced on the calendarLatest action May 20, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: Geothermal Gold Book Development Act
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
HR 5617 directs Interior to publish a standard geothermal leasing guide for federal lands within 18 months.
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HR 5617 requires the Department of the Interior to create an official guide, called the "Gold Book," that standardizes leasing and permitting procedures for geothermal energy development on federal lands. The department has one year to establish the procedures and 180 days after that to publish the guide. The guide must be reviewed at least every five years and updated as needed.
Companies and developers seeking to build geothermal projects on federal land are directly affected, as are Bureau of Land Management staff who review and approve those projects. Communities near federal lands where geothermal development could occur are also affected, as environmental responsibility is built into the process.
Currently, the leasing and permitting process for geothermal development on federal land can vary depending on which local office handles it. The bill would place all rules in one standardized guide, making the process more consistent and predictable for both government field offices and private developers.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: it was placed on the House floor calendar, 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. 573.