Geothermal energy projects on state or private land generally wouldn’t need to obtain drilling permits from the Interior Department if the project is already approved by a state permit under
The bill would exempt geothermal wells from federal permitting requirements if US government owns less than 50% of the subsurface mineral rights in the area covered by the geothermal project and the operator submits a state-issued permit to the Bureau of Land Management.
It also would largely exempt these projects from required reviews for federal activities under the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act, ...