CLEAN Act

H.R. 1687, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act, would modify federal geothermal energy development on public lands. The bill would require the Department of the Interior to conduct at least one geothermal lease sale per year in each qualifying state and offer all eligible nominated parcels during each sale. If any scheduled sale is canceled or delayed, the department would need to hold replacement sales within the same year.

The bill also aims to speed up the permitting process for geothermal drilling projects. It would require the Department of the Interior to determine within 30 days of receiving a permit application whether the submission is complete or what additional information is needed. Once an application is deemed complete, the department would have 30 days to issue a final decision on the permit. Supporters argue these changes would help unlock geothermal energy potential to meet rising energy demand with domestic, carbon-free resources and support rural economies, though the bill has not yet been voted on by the full House.