H.R. 7370 — Reported in House

IB Union Calendar No. 463 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7370 [Report No. 118–561] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 15, 2024 Mr. Curtis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources June 27, 2024 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 15, 2024 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. . June 27, 2024 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed