What This Bill Does
The CLEAN Act would amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to make federal geothermal lease sales happen every year instead of every 2 years. It would also require the Interior Secretary to hold a replacement sale in the same year if a scheduled sale is canceled or delayed, and to offer 75% of nominated eligible parcels plus the remaining 25% unless a written justification is provided. In addition, the bill sets new 30-day deadlines for the Department of the Interior to review geothermal drilling permit applications and, when needed, to defer decisions with a specific action plan and timeline.
- Requires geothermal lease sales every year instead of every 2 years.
- If a lease sale is canceled or delayed, Interior must hold a replacement sale in the same year.
- Interior must offer 75% of nominated eligible parcels, and the remaining 25% unless it gives a written justification.
- Geothermal drilling permit applications get a 30-day completeness review deadline.
- After an application is complete, Interior generally has 30 days to issue the permit or defer with a detailed action plan.
Who This Bill Affects
For a general constituent, this bill could mean faster federal approval and more frequent leasing for geothermal energy projects, which may help expand domestic energy supply and related jobs. If you live in or near areas with geothermal potential, the bill could increase development activity on federal lands and speed up drilling permit decisions, while also reducing the time agencies have to process applications.
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- Geothermal developers and project investors They would likely support the bill because annual lease sales and replacement sales reduce uncertainty and make it easier to plan projects, bid on parcels, and secure financing. Faster permit deadlines can also shorten the time between exploration and construction.
- Workers and contractors in the geothermal industry More predictable leasing and permitting can translate into more drilling, construction, and operations work. Supporters in this group would argue that geothermal projects create steady local employment and supply-chain demand.
- States and communities seeking new energy development Supporters may say the bill helps bring more domestic energy production online on federal lands while keeping the process tied to existing environmental and legal requirements. They may view the written-justification requirement as a way to keep leasing decisions transparent.
- Environmental advocates They may argue that annual lease sales and compressed permit timelines could push agencies to move too quickly, increasing the risk of inadequate review or insufficient protection for sensitive lands and wildlife. They may also worry that requiring the Secretary to offer most nominated parcels could favor development over conservation.
- Federal land managers and permitting staff Agency staff may oppose the bill because the 30-day deadlines and replacement-sale requirement could be difficult to meet when applications are complex or when environmental analysis is still underway. They may see the bill as reducing administrative flexibility.
- Local residents near proposed geothermal sites Some nearby communities may worry that faster leasing and permitting could increase industrial activity, traffic, noise, or land-use conflicts before local concerns are fully addressed. They may prefer a slower process that allows more public review.
Key Implications
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““The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a replacement sale during the same year.””
If a geothermal lease sale is canceled or delayed, the bill requires Interior to try again within the same calendar year. That reduces the chance that a missed sale becomes a year-long delay for developers waiting on federal parcels.
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““offer for lease—(A) 75 percent of such nominated parcels””
Interior would have to put most nominated eligible parcels up for lease, rather than choosing a smaller subset. This could expand the amount of federal land available for geothermal development.
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““the remaining 25 percent ... unless the Secretary provides a written justification””
The agency can withhold some nominated parcels, but only with a written explanation tied to a statutory, environmental, or administrative basis. That creates a paper trail and may make leasing decisions easier to challenge or review.
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““Not later than 30 days after ... receives an application””
Applicants would get a quick answer on whether their geothermal drilling permit submission is complete. That can reduce uncertainty, but it also puts pressure on the agency to process filings quickly.
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““the Secretary shall issue the permit ... or defer the decision””
Once an application is complete, the agency must either approve it or formally pause it with a detailed list of next steps. The bill is designed to prevent open-ended delays in geothermal permitting.
Latest Status
June 2, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.