Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
This bill (STEAM Act) amends Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to add geothermal resources (referencing the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970) alongside oil and gas for purposes of NEPA review. It appears intended to streamline or clarify National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) treatment for geothermal exploration and development, particularly in previously studied or developed areas.
Liberals worry NEPA weakening and environmental/community protections
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment that seeks to add geothermal exploration and development into existing NEPA-related provisions by modifying a specific section of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
This bill (STEAM Act) amends Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to add geothermal resources (referencing the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970) alongside oil and gas for purposes of NEPA review.
It appears intended to streamline or clarify National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) treatment for geothermal exploration and development, particularly in previously studied or developed areas.
The amendments revise wording in subsections to include geothermal alongside gas and oil activities.
Targeted, low-cost permitting tweak with modest controversy raises moderate prospects; implementation and Senate procedure are key constraints.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment that seeks to add geothermal exploration and development into existing NEPA-related provisions by modifying a specific section of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Its purpose is stated clearly and it integrates directly with named statutes, but the drafting shows limited textual clarity in places and omits implementation detail, fiscal acknowledgment, and accountability provisions.
Liberals worry NEPA weakening and environmental/community protections
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Liberals worry NEPA weakening and environmental/community protections
Supportive of accelerating clean energy in principle, but wary because the bill appears to narrow NEPA review protections for geothermal projects.
Concern will focus on reduced environmental review, public participation, tribal consultation, and safeguards for water, wildlife, and seismic risks.
Would push for conditions ensuring robust mitigation, monitoring, and community input.
Sees value in streamlining permitting for renewable geothermal when done carefully; supports accelerating low-carbon, baseload energy while guarding against unintended consequences.
Wants specific criteria, transparency, and sunset or review provisions to prevent unchecked NEPA rollbacks.
Favorable: views the bill as a reasonable, pro-growth regulatory fix to hasten domestic energy development, including renewables.
Sees this as reducing unnecessary bureaucratic delay for projects in already-studied areas and boosting jobs and energy security.
Prefers minimal procedural barriers while maintaining basic safeguards.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Targeted, low-cost permitting tweak with modest controversy raises moderate prospects; implementation and Senate procedure are key constraints.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Liberals worry NEPA weakening and environmental/community protections
Targeted, low-cost permitting tweak with modest controversy raises moderate prospects; implementation and Senate procedure are key constrai…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment that seeks to add geothermal exploration and development into existing NEPA-related provisions by modifying a specific section of the…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.