,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cied ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #ad1 #bjbd,mr4 ,heinrich 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,risch1 ,mr4 ,lee1 and ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj to promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under geothermal leases1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,geothermal ,energy ,optimization ,act4 #b4 ,geothermal production on ,federal land ,the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #cj4 ,geothermal observation test projects 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,categorical exclusion ,the term categorical exclusion has the meaning given the term in section #aaa of the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dccf;e74 7#b7 ,downhole ,the term downhole means a well or borehole dug or drilled into the subsurface of the earth for the purposes of resource confirmation or potential use4 7#c7 ,geothermal observation test project ,the term geothermal observation test project means using geothermal technologies to drill a test1 monitor1 calibration1 or other similar type of exploratory drilling process well for geothermal resources on land for which the ,secretary concerned has issued a lease under this ,act1 that-- 7,a7 is carried out by the leaseholder2 7,b7 causes an allowable amount of total disturbance2 7,c7 does not include any permanent roads2 7,d7 is developed-- 7i7 with the deepest cemented casing string less than #ab inches of downhole size in diameter2 7ii7 in a manner that does not require off-road motorized access other than to and from the well site along an identified off-road route2 7iii7 with temporary road access1 if needed to enable access to the geothermal observation test project location1 subject to the requirement that-- 7,i7 construction of the temporary road access is remediated as close as reasonably practicable to original condition following completion of the geothermal observation test project work2 or 7,,ii7 the temporary road access1 with any additional permanent improvements1 is included as part of the full review required under the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq47 if the leaseholder intends to proceed with geothermal energy use for-- 7aa7 the production of electricity2 7bb7 industrial processes2 7cc7 agricultural processes2 7dd7 brine mineral extraction2 7ee7 direct heating and cooling uses2 or 7ff7 any combination of items 7aa7 through 7ee72 and 7iv7 with the use of rubber-tired digging or drilling equipment vehicles2 7,e7 is completed in less than #abj days-- 7i7 including the removal of any surface infrastructure from the site1 unless-- 7,i7 the leaseholder conducting the geothermal observation test project submits to the ,secretary concerned by not later than #fj days after the date of first exploration drilling an extension request for additional time to complete the observation project1 in which the request provides justification indicating why granting an extension is necessary2 and 7,,ii7 the ,secretary concerned grants an extension under subclause 7,i71 if requested2 or 7ii7 not including removal of any surface infrastructure from the site so long as the geothermal developer intends to proceed with resource development directly following the test phase of the project and into processes required under the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq472 and 7,f7 requires the restoration of the project site as part of any new review required under the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq47 within #c years of the date of first exploration drilling to approximately the condition that existed at the time the project began1 unless the site is subsequently used as part of energy development under the lease4 7#d7 ,geothermal technology ,the term geothermal technology means technology designed to extract heat from the subsurface of the earth and that is used to drill-- 7,a7 hydrothermal project test wells2 7,b7 enhanced geothermal system monitoring wells2 7,c7 closed loop geothermal system calibration wells2 and 7,d7 similar types of subsurface disturbances through non-production wells to assess the viability of the heat resources of the earth4 7#e7 ,secretary concerned ,the term ,secretary concerned means-- 7,a7 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 with respect to ,national ,forest ,system land2 and 7,b7 the ,secretary1 with respect to public lands4 7#f7 ,surface infrastructure ,the term surface infrastructure means all equipment1 materials1 facilities1 and other items used in the drilling of a geothermal observation test project4 7#g7 ,total disturbance 7,a7 ,in general ,the term total disturbance means a geothermal observation test project that causes not more than #aj acres of disturbance from-- 7i7 soil or vegetation disruption at the location of each geothermal observation test project2 and 7ii7 soil or vegetation disruption during access or egress to the geothermal observation test project site4 7,b7 ,allowance 7i7 ,multiple projects ,for instances of multiple geothermal observation test projects1 the acres of total disturbance allowed shall-- 7,i7 be equal to the total number of geothermal observation test projects multiplied by #aj acres2 and 7,,ii7 not exceed #ajj total acres4 7ii7 ,access or egress ,for soil or vegetation disruption during access or egress to a geothermal observation test project site1 the acres of total soil or vegetation disruption allowed shall be equal to the acres of total disturbance allowed minus the acres of soil or vegetation disruption caused by the geothermal observation test project4 7b7 ,categorical exclusion 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary concerned shall develop a categorical exclusion for geothermal observation test projects4 7#b7 ,administration ,in developing and administering the categorical exclusion under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary concerned shall-- 7,a7 comply with the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq472 and 7,b7 apply any applicable extraordinary circumstance under section #df4bae of title #dc1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or successor regulations71 in determining whether to use the categorical exclusion4 7c7 ,process 7#a7 ,requirement to provide notice ,a leaseholder shall provide notice to the ,secretary concerned of the intent of the leaseholder to carry out a geothermal observation test project at least #fj days before the start of drilling under the project4 7#b7 ,review and determination ,not later than #cj days after receipt of a notice of intent under paragraph 7#a7 that contains sufficient information to evaluate the qualifications of the project for an applicable categorical exclusion1 the ,secretary concerned shall1 with respect to the project described in the notice of intent-- 7,a7 determine if the project qualifies for a categorical exclusion under subsection 7b72 7,b7 notify the leaseholder of such determination2 and 7,c7 administer the categorical exclusion for a geothermal observation test project1 subject to the condition that-- 7i7 the project meets the specified criteria for the categorical exclusion2 and 7ii7 the ,secretary determines that no extraordinary circumstance exists under which a normally excluded action or project may have a significant effect4 7#c7 ,opportunity to remedy ,if the ,secretary concerned determines under paragraph 7#b77;,a7 that the project does not qualify for a categorical exclusion under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary concerned shall-- 7,a7 include in such notice clear and detailed findings on any deficiencies in the project that resulted in such determination2 and 7,b7 allow the leaseholder not less than #fj days after receiving notice under subparagraph 7,a7 to remedy any deficiencies and resubmit the notice of intent under paragraph 7#a74 4 #c4 ,review of geothermal exploration or development activities ,section #cij of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeidb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by inserting 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #aha et seq47 or the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq47 after ,mineral ,leasing ,act2 and 7,b7 by striking oil or gas and inserting oil1 gas1 or geothermal energy resource well2 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting 1 and less than #aj acres for the purposes of geothermal1 after less than #e acres2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking oil or gas well and inserting oil1 gas1 or geothermal resource well2 7,c7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking oil or gas well within a developed field and inserting oil1 gas1 or geothermal energy resource well within a developed field or area2 7,d7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 and 7,e7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following3 7#e7 ,for the purposes of geothermal1 placement of an electrical transmission line or a distribution line of not more than #bj miles in length in an approved right-of-way corridor1 so long as the corridor was approved within #e years prior to the date of placement of the transmission or distribution line4 4 #d4 ,leasing procedures under the ,geothermal ,steam ,act ,section #d of the ,geothermal ,steam ,act of #aigj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking every #b years and inserting every year2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,replacement sales ,if a lease sale under this section for a year is cancelled or delayed1 the ,secretary shall conduct a replacement sale during the same year4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7d71 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,deadline ,the ,secretary1 and the ,secretary of ,agriculture with respect to ,national ,forest ,system land1 shall issue a decision for a submitted application described in paragraph 7#a7 not later than #fj days after the application is submitted4 4 #e4 ,geothermal ,ombudsman and ,strike ,team 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,bureau of ,land ,management4 7#b7 ,geothermal ,ombudsman ,the term ,geothermal ,ombudsman means the ,geothermal ,ombudsman appointed under subsection 7b74 7#c7 ,geothermal ,strike ,team ,the term ,geothermal ,strike ,team means the ,geothermal ,strike ,team established under subsection 7c74 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7b7 ,geothermal ombudsman 7#a7 ,appointment ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall appoint within the ,bureau of ,land ,management a ,geothermal ,ombudsman to report directly to the ,director4 7#b7 ,duties ,the ,geothermal ,ombudsman shall-- 7,a7 act as a liaison between the individual field offices of the ,bureau of ,land ,management and the ,director2 7,b7 improve-- 7i7 the performance of the permitting process for geothermal energy resource wells2 and 7ii7 regional coordination of the field offices of the ,bureau of ,land ,management2 7,c7 provide dispute resolution services between the individual field offices of the ,bureau of ,land ,management and applicants for drilling geothermal energy resource wells2 7,d7 help ,federal1 ,state1 and ,tribal departments and agencies make the permitting and leasing process for geothermal energy resource wells efficient1 orderly1 and responsive2 7,e7 develop best practices and templates for the permitting and leasing process for geothermal energy resource wells2 7,f7 coordinate with the ,federal ,permitting ,improvement ,steering ,council established by section #dajjb of the ,,fast ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcgjm-#a7 and other task forces1 as needed1 on overlapping duties and responsibilities2 and 7,g7 identify potential statutory and regulatory changes based on input from the individual field offices of the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 the ,geothermal ,strike ,team1 and other stakeholders1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,limitation 7,a7 ,support ,in carrying out the duties of the ,geothermal ,ombudsman under paragraph 7#b71 the ,geothermal ,ombudsman shall use personnel1 funding1 logistics1 and other resources of the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 to the extent determined by the ,director4 7,b7 ,effect ,nothing in this subsection replaces1 alters1 or diminishes the activities of any ombudsman or similar office of any other agency4 7c7 ,geothermal ,strike ,team 7#a7 ,establishment ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish within the ,bureau of ,land ,management a task force1 to be known as the ,geothermal ,strike ,team1 which shall report directly to the ,director4 7#b7 ,duties ,the ,geothermal ,strike ,team shall support the ,geothermal ,ombudsman-- 7,a7 with implementation and continuous improvement of best practices relating to permitting for and leasing of geothermal energy resource wells2 7,b7 with providing direct technical assistance to applicants in field offices of the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 as requested2 and 7,c7 with coordinating with ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments1 and among ,state agencies1 on project review1 permitting1 and approvals for geothermal energy resource wells4 7#c7 ,members ,the ,geothermal ,strike ,team shall be composed of members of the ,bureau of ,land ,management selected by the ,director1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 who may consult with-- 7,a7 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7772 7,b7 members from the ,national ,laboratories 7as defined in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja772 7,c7 private entities1 as determined by the ,director1 with expertise in data modeling and analysis2 and 7,d7 other experts1 as determined by the ,director4 7#d7 ,limitation 7,a7 ,support ,in carrying out the duties of the ,geothermal ,strike ,team under paragraph 7#b71 the ,geothermal ,strike ,team may use personnel1 funding1 logistics1 and other resources of the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 to the extent determined by the ,director4 7,b7 ,effect ,nothing in this subsection replaces1 alters1 or diminishes the activities of any similar office of any ,federal agency4 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,annual report ,the ,geothermal ,ombudsman and the ,geothermal ,strike ,team shall jointly submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,director an annual report that describes the activities and evaluates the effectiveness of the ,geothermal ,ombudsman and ,geothermal ,strike ,team during the preceding #a-year period4 7#b7 ,additional reports ,in addition to the annual report required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,geothermal ,ombudsman and ,geothermal ,strike ,team shall submit to the ,director any additional reports1 as determined by the ,director4 7#c7 ,request ,the ,geothermal ,ombudsman and the ,geothermal ,strike ,team shall1 on request1 submit the reports described in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 to any ,member of ,congress4