,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aija ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ai1 #bjai,ms4 ,cortez ,masto 7for herself and ,mr4 ,wyden7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to promote geothermal energy1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,geothermal ,energy ,opportunities ,act or the ,,geo ,act4 #b4 ,national goals for production and site identification ,it is the sense of ,congress that1 not later than #aj years after the date of enactment of this ,act-- 7#a7 the ,secretary of the ,interior should seek to have approved more than #ae1jjj megawatts of new geothermal energy capacity on public land across a geographically diverse set of ,states using the full range of available technologies2 and 7#b7 the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey and the ,secretary of ,energy should identify sites capable of producing a total of #ej1jjj megawatts of geothermal power1 using the full range of available technologies4 #c4 ,priority areas for development on ,federal land ,the ,director of the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 in consultation with other appropriate ,federal officials1 shall-- 7#a7 identify high-priority areas for new geothermal development2 and 7#b7 take any actions the ,director determines necessary to facilitate that development1 consistent with applicable laws4 #d4 ,facilitation of coproduction of geothermal energy on oil and gas leases ,section #d7;b7 of the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc7;b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,land subject to oil and gas lease ,land under an oil and gas lease issued pursuant to the ,mineral ,leasing ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #aha et seq47 or the ,mineral ,leasing ,act for ,acquired ,lands 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #cea et seq47 that is subject to an approved application for permit to drill and from which oil and gas production is occurring may be available for noncompetitive leasing under this section to the holder of the oil and gas lease-- 7,a7 on a determination that-- 7i7 geothermal energy will be produced from a well producing or capable of producing oil and gas2 and 7ii7 national energy security will be improved by the issuance of such a lease2 and 7,b7 to provide for the coproduction of geothermal energy with oil and gas4 4 #e4 ,cost-shared exploration 7a7 ,in general ,to promote the goals described in section #b1 the ,secretary of ,energy may conduct a federally funded program of cost-shared drilling with industry partners-- 7#a7 to explore and document new geothermal resources in the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 to develop improved tools and methods for geothermal resource identification and extraction1 with the goal of achieving material reductions in the cost of exploration with a corresponding increase in the likelihood of drilling success4 7b7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,to carry out the program described in subsection 7a71 the ,secretary of ,energy may award cost-share grants on a competitive and merit basis to eligible applicants to support exploration drilling and related activities4 7#b7 ,project criteria ,in selecting applicants to receive grants under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary of ,energy shall-- 7,a7 give preference to applicants proposing projects located in a variety of geologic and geographic settings with previously unexplored1 underexplored1 or unproven geothermal resources2 and 7,b7 consider-- 7i7 the potential that the unproven geothermal resources would be explored and developed under the proposed project2 7ii7 the expertise and experience of an applicant in developing geothermal resources2 and 7iii7 the contribution the proposed project would make toward meeting the goals described in section #b4 7c7 ,data sharing 7#a7 ,in general ,data from all exploratory wells that are carried out under the program described in subsection 7a7 shall be provided to the ,secretary of ,energy and the ,secretary of the ,interior for-- 7,a7 use in mapping national geothermal resources2 and 7,b7 other purposes1 including-- 7i7 subsurface geologic data2 7ii7 metadata2 7iii7 borehole temperature data2 and 7iv7 inclusion in the ,national ,geothermal ,data ,system of the ,department of ,energy4 7#b7 ,sharing of confidential data ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 confidential data from all exploratory wells that are carried out under the program described in subsection 7a7 shall be provided to the ,secretary of ,energy and the ,secretary of the ,interior for the purposes described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of paragraph 7#a71 to be available for a period of time to be determined by the ,secretary of ,energy and the ,secretary of the ,interior4 #f4 ,use of geothermal lease revenues 7a7 ,amounts deposited ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 beginning in the first full fiscal year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 any amounts received by the ,united ,states as rentals1 royalties1 and other payments required under leases pursuant to the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq47 7excluding funds required to be paid to ,state and county governments7 and from new geothermal leases issued after the date of enactment of this ,act shall be deposited into a separate account in the ,treasury4 7b7 ,use of deposits ,amounts deposited under subsection 7a7 shall be available to the ,secretary of ,energy for expenditure1 without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation1 to carry out section #e4 7c7 ,transfer of funds ,to promote the goals described in section #b1 the ,secretary of ,energy may authorize the expenditure or transfer of any funds that are necessary to other cooperating ,federal agencies4 #g4 ,noncompetitive leasing of adjoining areas for development of geothermal resources ,section #d7;b7 of the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc7;b77 7as amended by section #d7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,adjoining land 7,a7 ,definitions ,in this paragraph3 7i7 ,fair market value per acre ,the term fair market value per acre means a dollar amount per acre that-- 7,i7 except as provided in this clause1 shall be equal to the market value per acre 7taking into account the determination under subparagraph 7,b77iii7 regarding a valid discovery on the adjoining land71 as determined by the ,secretary under regulations issued under this paragraph2 7,,ii7 shall be determined by the ,secretary with respect to a lease under this paragraph1 by not later than the end of the #ahj-;day period beginning on the date the ,secretary receives an application for the lease2 and 7,,iii7 shall be not less than the greater of-- 7aa7 #d times the median amount paid per acre for all land leased under this ,act during the preceding year2 or 7bb7 #ej4 7ii7 ,industry standards ,the term industry standards means the standards by which a qualified geothermal professional assesses whether downhole or flowing temperature measurements with indications of permeability are sufficient to produce energy from geothermal resources1 as determined through flow or injection testing or measurement of lost circulation while drilling4 7iii7 ,qualified ,federal land ,the term qualified ,federal land means land that is otherwise available for leasing under this ,act4 7iv7 ,qualified geothermal professional ,the term qualified geothermal professional means an individual who is an engineer or geoscientist in good professional standing with at least #e years of experience in geothermal exploration1 development1 or project assessment4 7v7 ,qualified lessee ,the term qualified lessee means a person that is eligible to hold a geothermal lease under this ,act 7including applicable regulations74 7vi7 ,valid discovery ,the term valid discovery means a discovery of a geothermal resource by a new or existing slim hole or production well1 that exhibits downhole or flowing temperature measurements with indications of permeability that are sufficient to meet industry standards4 7,b7 ,authority ,an area of qualified ,federal land that adjoins other land for which a qualified lessee holds a legal right to develop geothermal resources may be available for a noncompetitive lease under this section to the qualified lessee at the fair market value per acre1 if-- 7i7 the area of qualified ,federal land-- 7,i7 consists of not less than #a acre and not more than #fdj acres2 and 7,,ii7 is not already leased under this ,act or nominated to be leased under subsection 7a72 7ii7 the qualified lessee has not previously received a noncompetitive lease under this paragraph in connection with the valid discovery for which data has been submitted under clause 7iii77,i72 and 7iii7 sufficient geological and other technical data prepared by a qualified geothermal professional has been submitted by the qualified lessee to the applicable ,federal land management agency that would lead individuals who are experienced in the subject matter to believe that-- 7,i7 there is a valid discovery of geothermal resources on the land for which the qualified lessee holds the legal right to develop geothermal resources2 and 7,,ii7 that thermal feature extends into the adjoining areas4 7,c7 ,determination of fair market value 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,i7 publish a notice of any request to lease land under this paragraph2 7,,ii7 determine fair market value for purposes of this paragraph in accordance with procedures for making those determinations that are established by regulations issued by the ,secretary2 7,,iii7 provide to a qualified lessee and publish1 with an opportunity for public comment for a period of #cj days1 any proposed determination under this subparagraph of the fair market value of an area that the qualified lessee seeks to lease under this paragraph2 and 7,,iv7 provide to the qualified lessee and any adversely affected party the opportunity to appeal the final determination of fair market value in an administrative proceeding before the applicable ,federal land management agency1 in accordance with applicable law 7including regulations74 7ii7 ,limitation on nomination ,after publication of a notice of request to lease land under this paragraph1 the ,secretary may not accept under subsection 7a7 any nomination of the land for leasing unless the request has been denied or withdrawn4 7iii7 ,annual rental ,for purposes of section #e7;a77#c71 a lease awarded under this paragraph shall be considered a lease awarded in a competitive lease sale4 7,d7 ,regulations ,not later than #bgj days after the date of enactment of the ,geothermal ,energy ,opportunities ,act1 the ,secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this paragraph4 4 #h4 ,large-scale geothermal energy ,title ,,vi of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg is amended by inserting after section #faf 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agaie7 the following3 #faf;,a4 ,large-,scale ,geothermal ,energy 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the ,geothermal ,technologies ,program of the ,office of ,energy ,efficiency and ,renewable ,energy of the ,department has included a focus on direct use of geothermal energy in the low-temperature geothermal energy subprogram 7including in the development of a research and development plan for the program72 7#b7 the ,building ,technologies ,program of the ,office of ,energy ,efficiency and ,renewable ,energy of the ,department-- 7,a7 is focused on the energy demand and energy efficiency of buildings2 and 7,b7 includes geothermal heat pumps as a component technology in the residential and commercial deployment activities of the program2 and 7#c7 geothermal heat pumps and direct use of geothermal energy1 especially in large-scale applications1 can make a significant contribution to the use of renewable energy but are underrepresented in research1 development1 demonstration1 and commercialization4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to improve the components1 processes1 and systems used for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy2 and 7#b7 to increase the energy efficiency1 lower the cost1 increase the use1 and improve and demonstrate the applicability of geothermal heat pumps to1 and the direct use of geothermal energy in1 large buildings1 commercial districts1 residential communities1 and large municipal1 agricultural1 or industrial projects4 7c7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,direct use of geothermal energy ,the term direct use of geothermal energy means systems that use water that is at a temperature between approximately #ch degrees ,celsius and #adi degrees ,celsius directly or through a heat exchanger to provide-- 7,a7 heating to buildings2 or 7,b7 heat required for industrial processes1 agriculture1 aquaculture1 and other facilities4 7#b7 ,geothermal heat pump ,the term geothermal heat pump means a system that provides heating and cooling by exchanging heat from shallow ground or surface water using-- 7,a7 a closed loop system1 which transfers heat by way of buried or immersed pipes that contain a mix of water and working fluid2 or 7,b7 an open loop system1 which circulates ground or surface water directly into the building and returns the water to the same aquifer or surface water source4 7#c7 ,large-scale application ,the term large-scale application means an application for space or process heating or cooling for large entities with a name-plate capacity1 expected resource1 or rating of #aj or more megawatts1 such as a large building1 commercial district1 residential community1 or a large municipal1 agricultural1 or industrial project4 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy1 acting through the ,assistant ,secretary for ,energy ,efficiency and ,renewable ,energy4 7d7 ,program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a program of research1 development1 and demonstration for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy4 7#b7 ,areas ,the program may include research1 development1 demonstration1 and commercial application of-- 7,a7 geothermal ground loop efficiency improvements through more efficient heat transfer fluids2 7,b7 geothermal ground loop efficiency improvements through more efficient thermal grouts for wells and trenches2 7,c7 geothermal ground loop installation cost reduction through-- 7i7 improved drilling methods2 7ii7 improvements in drilling equipment2 7iii7 improvements in design methodology and energy analysis procedures2 and 7iv7 improved methods for determination of ground thermal properties and ground temperatures2 7,d7 installing geothermal ground loops near the foundation walls of new construction to take advantage of existing structures2 7,e7 using gray or black wastewater as a method of heat exchange2 7,f7 improving geothermal heat pump system economics through integration of geothermal systems with other building systems1 including providing hot and cold water and rejecting or circulating industrial process heat through refrigeration heat rejection and waste heat recovery2 7,g7 advanced geothermal systems using variable pumping rates to increase efficiency2 7,h7 geothermal heat pump efficiency improvements2 7,i7 use of hot water found in mines and mine shafts and other surface waters as the heat exchange medium2 7,j7 heating of districts1 neighborhoods1 communities1 large commercial or public buildings 7including office1 retail1 educational1 government1 and institutional buildings and multifamily residential buildings and campuses71 and industrial and manufacturing facilities2 7,k7 geothermal system integration with solar thermal water heating or cool roofs and solar-regenerated desiccants to balance loads and use building hot water to store geothermal energy2 7,l7 use of hot water coproduced from oil and gas recovery2 7,m7 use of water sources at a temperature of less than #aej degrees ,celsius for direct use2 7,n7 system integration of direct use with geothermal electricity production2 and 7,o7 coproduction of heat and power1 including on-site use4 7#c7 ,environmental impacts ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts in accordance with section #fad7;c74 7e7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall make grants available to ,state and local governments1 institutions of higher education1 nonprofit entities1 utilities1 and for-profit companies 7including manufacturers of heat-pump and direct-use components and systems7 to promote the development of geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy4 7#b7 ,priority ,in making grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall give priority to proposals that apply to large buildings 7including office1 retail1 educational1 government1 institutional1 and multifamily residential buildings and campuses and industrial and manufacturing facilities71 commercial districts1 and residential communities4 7#c7 ,national solicitation ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall conduct a national solicitation for applications for grants under this section4 7f7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this section and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report on progress made and results obtained under this section to develop geothermal heat pumps and direct use of geothermal energy4 7#b7 ,areas ,each of the reports required under this subsection shall include-- 7,a7 an analysis of progress made in each of the areas described in subsection 7d77#b72 and 7,b7 7i7 a description of any relevant recommendations made during a review of the program2 and 7ii7 any plans to address the recommendations under clause 7i74 4 #i4 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and not less frequently than once every #e years thereafter1 the ,secretary of the ,interior and the ,secretary of ,energy shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report describing the progress made towards achieving the goals described in section #b4 #aj4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act such sums as are necessary4