The bill seeks to expedite geothermal energy permits with a 60-day approval deadline, allowing recovery of administrative costs, and a report on its impact. It mandates an updated guidebook for geothermal leasing, creates a Geothermal Ombudsman and Permitting Task Force, aiming to streamline development and enhance cooperation on public lands. Additionally, it amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 for calculating royalties, defines "geothermal electric generating facility" and "in-service date," adjusts royalty payment structure, and extends royalty rates. It also broadens the scope of environmental impact assessments to include geothermal resources within the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act
This bill establishes a geothermal ombudsman and task force to oversee geothermal project permitting and authorizations on federal land.
The Department of the Interior must appoint a geothermal ombudsman from within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ombudsman must act as a liaison among different parts of BLM, provide dispute resolution services between BLM and geothermal project applicants, and facilitate permit processing in different BLM field offices regarding geothermal projects on federal land.
The ombudsman must also lead the Geothermal Permitting Task Force established by this bill. The task force must support the ombudsman’s duties. Through the task force, the ombudsman may reassign employees from other Interior bureaus or offices to assist in the completion of geothermal authorizations. The ombudsman may pay a retention allowance to reassigned employees.
