Geothermal Gold Book Act (H.R. 5617)

Summary

Requires the government to create and publish a guide with standard rules for safe and efficient geothermal energy projects on federal lands.

What problem does this solve?

The current government guide for energy projects on federal land is old and only covers oil and gas, leaving no clear rules for new geothermal energy projects. This bill requires the guide to be updated with specific procedures for geothermal leasing and permitting, making the process clearer and more efficient.

What does this bill do?

Identify new geothermal standards

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to identify standard rules for geothermal leasing and permitting on federal lands within one year.

Publish an updated guide

Directs the Secretary to publish an updated 'Gold Book' that includes the new geothermal standards within 270 days of identifying them.

Mandates regular reviews

Ensures the guide stays current by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to review it at least every five years and update it if necessary.

Requires consultation with experts

Mandates that the government must talk with other federal agencies, field offices, and outside experts like developers before publishing the new guide.

Rename the 'Gold Book'

Requires the 'Gold Book' to be renamed to show that it now covers geothermal development in addition to oil and gas.

Details specific operational guidelines

Specifies that the updated guide must include rules for all stages of a project, including exploration, permitting, construction, drilling, and production.

Who does this affect?

Geothermal energy developers
Bureau of Land Management and Department of the Interior staff
Communities near federal lands

What is the real world impact?

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Streamlines geothermal development

Creates a single, clear set of rules for geothermal projects on federal land. This makes it easier and faster for companies to get permits, encouraging more renewable energy development.

When does this start?

This bill sets several deadlines for creating and updating the geothermal guide.

Identify geothermal standards

Within one year of the bill becoming law, the Secretary of the Interior must identify standard procedures for geothermal leasing.

Publish updated guide

Within 270 days after the standards are identified, the Secretary must publish the updated 'Gold Book' with the new geothermal rules.

Regular review cycle

The guide must be reviewed at least once every five years to see if it needs to be updated.