What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for the Department of the Interior to process applications related to geothermal leases. Specifically, Interior must process each application for a geothermal drilling permit or other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease within 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable federal laws and regulations (including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the National Historic Preservation Act) unless a U.S. federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the underlying lease.
Action Timeline
2026-03-05
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
2026-03-05
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2026-03-05
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
2025-12-16
Subcommittee Hearings Held
2025-12-09
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
2025-01-09
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
2025-01-09
Introduced in House
2025-01-09
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.301 pass?
HR.301 is still alive. Current stage: REPORTED. Pass likelihood: 26%.
What does HR.301 do?
Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for the Department of the Interior to process applications related to geothermal leases. Specifically, Interior must process each application for a geothermal drilling permit or other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease within 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable federal laws and regulations (including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the National Historic Preservation Act) unles…
Who sponsored HR.301?
HR.301 was sponsored by Celeste Maloy (R-Utah).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 301 IH: Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-01-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 301 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 9, 2025 Ms. Maloy introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for processing applications related to geothermal leasing. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act . 2. Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1003 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (h) Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing (1) Requirement to process applications Notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil action that affects an application for a geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or any other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease, the Secretary shall, unless a United States Federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the applicable geothermal lease, geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization, approve and issue, or deny, each such application not later than 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable Federal laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code. (2) No new authority for Federal courts Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as modifying any existing authority of a Federal court to vacate or provide injunctive relief for a geothermal lease, geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization. (3) Definition of authorization In this subsection, the term authorization means any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision issued by a Federal agency, or any interagency consultation, that is required or authorized under Federal law or regulations in order to site, construct, reconstruct, or commence operations of a geothermal project administered by a Federal agency. .
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