Mar 27, 11:26 PM: 119HRES-1142 "Providing for disposition of t..." agreed to in House      Mar 27, 10:28 AM: 119HR-7084 "Defending American Property Ab..." agreed to in House      Mar 27: 119HR-7147 "Further Additional Continuing ..." agreed to in Senate      Mar 27: 119SRES-666 "A resolution designating the f..." agreed to in Senate      Mar 27: 119SRES-647 "A resolution designating March..." agreed to in Senate      
Bill: 119-HR301
GEO Act
Last action: 3-5-2026
Version: 2026012515
Current status: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Bill is currently in: House
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Summary Provided by Congressional Research Service

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.  

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1. Short title2. Effect of pending civil actions on 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.