The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to expedite geothermal leasing and permitting processes. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct replacement sales if lease sales are delayed, and offer a specific percentage of nominated parcels for lease. Additionally, it sets deadlines for the consideration of geothermal drilling permits, including providing notice of application completeness within 30 days and issuing permits within a specified timeframe or providing reasons for deferral. This bill focuses on streamlining geothermal energy access and could impact the speed and efficiency of geothermal leasing and permitting processes.
Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act or the CLEAN Act
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to increase the frequency of lease sales for developing and utilizing geothermal energy on federal land.
Specifically, Interior must hold lease sales at least once a year (rather than two years) in states with pending nominations of federal land to be leased for geothermal energy development.
In conducting such lease sales, Interior must offer all of the pending nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development and utilization under the resource management plan in effect for the state.
If a lease sale is canceled or delayed, Interior must conduct a replacement sale during the same year.
Finally, the bill establishes deadlines for Interior to respond to applications for geothermal drilling permits.