CLEAN Act (H.R. 1687)

Summary

Makes geothermal energy lease sales happen every year and sets deadlines for the government to approve or deny drilling permits.

What problem does this solve?

The process for leasing federal land for geothermal energy is slow, with sales only required every two years and no firm deadlines for approving drilling permits. This bill speeds up the process by requiring annual lease sales and setting strict timelines for the government to act on permit applications.

What does this bill do?

Requires annual geothermal lease sales

Changes the law to make the government hold sales for geothermal energy leases every year, instead of every two years.

Establishes 30-day permit review deadline

Gives the Secretary of the Interior 30 days to tell an applicant if their geothermal drilling permit application is complete or if more information is needed.

Sets 30-day deadline for permit decisions

Requires the Secretary to either issue a drilling permit or officially delay the decision within 30 days of an application being marked as complete.

Mandates replacement lease sales

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to hold a replacement lease sale within the same year if a scheduled sale is canceled or delayed.

Sets minimum for offered lease parcels

Requires the government to offer at least 75 percent of the land parcels nominated for geothermal development in a lease sale, unless there is a written reason not to.

Who does this affect?

Geothermal energy companies
Department of the Interior
Land management agencies

What is the real world impact?

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Promotes renewable energy development

Aims to increase the use of geothermal energy, a clean power source, by making it easier and faster for companies to get leases and permits on federal land. This helps the country produce more of its own energy.

When does this start?

The bill sets several new deadlines for the government to follow once it becomes law.

Permit application completeness notice

Within 30 days of receiving a geothermal drilling permit application, the Secretary must notify the applicant if it's complete or what is missing.

Permit decision deadline

Within 30 days after an application is deemed complete, the Secretary must either issue the permit or defer the decision with an explanation.

Deferred permit decision deadline

If a permit decision is deferred, the Secretary must issue a final decision no later than 10 days after the applicant and agency complete required actions.