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To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas.
Summary
This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to streamline the development of geothermal energy projects. It modifies federal environmental review procedures to expedite permitting for geothermal exploration and development in areas that have been previously studied or developed. The changes incorporate geothermal resources into existing provisions that currently apply to oil and gas development, allowing the same streamlined review process. The goal is to reduce regulatory delays for geothermal projects while maintaining environmental oversight.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
3 cosponsors
- Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT] (R-MT)
- Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] (R-ND)
- Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (R-AK)
Actions (2)
- Feb 6, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. · senate
- Feb 6, 2025 Introduced in Senate
Similar bills (6)
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Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 6 (legislative day, February 5), 2025
Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
A BILL
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms Act” or the “STEAM Act”.
SEC. 2. NEPA REVIEW.
Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting “, or the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) for the purpose of exploration or development of geothermal resources” after “or gas”; and
(2) in subsection (b)—
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking “or gas” and inserting “, gas, or geothermal”; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking “or gas” and inserting “, gas, or geothermal”. <all>
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