Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
This bill amends Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to add geothermal resources to provisions that expedite National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) consideration for exploration or development in previously studied or developed areas. In short, it treats geothermal like oil and gas for purposes of streamlined NEPA review in those areas.
Liberals worry expedited review weakens NEPA and public input
Narrow, technically focused energy-permitting tweak likely to attract some bipartisan support but also environmental opposition.
This bill amends Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to add geothermal resources to provisions that expedite National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) consideration for exploration or development in previously studied or developed areas.
In short, it treats geothermal like oil and gas for purposes of streamlined NEPA review in those areas.
Content is narrow and implementable, improving chances in the House; Senate procedural barriers and opposition to NEPA rollbacks lower overall odds.
How solid the drafting looks.
Liberals worry expedited review weakens NEPA and public input
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Liberals worry expedited review weakens NEPA and public input
Likely cautiously supportive of accelerating deployment of a low‑carbon resource, but wary of narrowing environmental review and public input.
Concerns will focus on preserving NEPA’s protective functions, tribal consultation, and avoiding precedent for broader NEPA rollbacks.
Generally favorable to sensible streamlining that reduces unnecessary permitting delay while preserving core environmental protections.
Would seek clearer definitions, reporting, and guardrails to prevent mission creep and litigation.
Likely supportive because it reduces federal permitting burdens and encourages development of domestic energy resources.
Views it as a targeted deregulatory step that helps industry and job creation, especially since it applies to previously disturbed areas.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Content is narrow and implementable, improving chances in the House; Senate procedural barriers and opposition to NEPA rollbacks lower overall odds.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Liberals worry expedited review weakens NEPA and public input
Content is narrow and implementable, improving chances in the House; Senate procedural barriers and opposition to NEPA rollbacks lower over…
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