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The Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025 would expand federal authority to collect fees from companies that apply for or hold geothermal leases on public lands. Under this bill, the Department of the Interior could require applicants and leaseholders to reimburse the federal government for the costs of processing geothermal lease applications and permits, as well as inspecting and monitoring geothermal exploration and development activities on federal property.
The bill includes protections for companies facing economic hardship, allowing the Interior Department to reduce or waive fees if full payment would create undue financial burden or if lower fees would better promote geothermal resource development. Any fees collected could only be used for the specific purposes outlined in the bill—processing applications and conducting inspections and monitoring—and only if Congress appropriates funds for these activities. The bill would expire on September 30, 2032, and would require the Interior Department to report to Congress within five years on how the fees have affected the geothermal leasing program.
This bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the House. If enacted, it could increase costs for companies developing geothermal energy on federal lands, though the practical impact would depend on how the Interior Department sets and implements the fee structure.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Dec 9, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Dec 16, 2025
Dec 16, 2025 · 15:15
On December 16, 2025, the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on nine bills designed to streamline geothermal energy development on federal lands. The bills examined include measures to accelerate lease sales, reduce permitting delays, establish cost-recovery authority for processing applications, create a geothermal ombudsman position, and reform royalty structures. Key proposals include H.R. 1687, which would require annual geothermal lease sales and mandate 30-day responses to drilling permit applications, and H.R. 398, which would allow federal agencies to charge fees for processing geothermal applications to improve agency capacity. Witnesses included industry representatives, government officials, and members of Congress. Tim Latimer, CEO of Fervo Energy, highlighted the industry's workforce potential, noting that workers from the oil and gas sector can transition to geothermal work with minimal retraining. Paul Thomsen of Ormat Technologies emphasized geothermal's economic benefits to rural communities through consistent revenue generation and local employment. Jon Raby, Nevada State Director of the Bureau of Land Management, represented the federal agency perspective. Members of Congress including Representatives Maloy, Hurd, Fulcher, Lee, and Ansari also testified as sponsors of the bills. The hearing reflected broad bipartisan support for geothermal development. Witnesses and lawmakers emphasized the need to address permitting backlogs and reduce regulatory delays that slow project deployment. The bills collectively aim to increase federal agency capacity for geothermal processing while accelerating the development of next-generation geothermal technology on public lands. A legislative hearing does not guarantee bills will advance; the subcommittee must decide whether to recommend them for further consideration.
| Name | Position | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryant JonesGeothermal Rising | Executive Director | |
| Mr. Jon RabyBureau of Land Management | Nevada State Director | |
| Mr. Paul ThomsenOrmat Technologies, Inc. | Vice President of Business Development | |
| Mr. Tim LatimerFervo Energy | Co-Founder & CEO | |
| Ms. Kerry RohrmeierThe Nature Conservancy | Nevada Climate & Energy Strategy Director | |
| The Honorable Celeste Maloy | Member of Congress | |
| The Honorable Jeff Hurd | Member of Congress | |
| The Honorable Russ Fulcher | Member of Congress | |
| The Honorable Susie Lee | Member of Congress | |
| The Honorable Yassamin Ansari | Member of Congress |
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
Mar 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 5, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 5, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Dec 9, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Dec 16, 2025
Dec 16, 2025 · 15:15
On December 16, 2025, the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on nine bills designed to streamline geothermal energy development on federal lands. The bills examined include measures to accelerate lease sales, reduce permitting delays, establish cost-recovery authority for processing applications, create a geothermal ombudsman position, and reform royalty structures. Key proposals include H.R. 1687, which would require annual geothermal lease sales and mandate 30-day responses to drilling permit applications, and H.R. 398, which would allow federal agencies to charge fees for processing geothermal applications to improve agency capacity. Witnesses included industry representatives, government officials, and members of Congress. Tim Latimer, CEO of Fervo Energy, highlighted the industry's workforce potential, noting that workers from the oil and gas sector can transition to geothermal work with minimal retraining. Paul Thomsen of Ormat Technologies emphasized geothermal's economic benefits to rural communities through consistent revenue generation and local employment. Jon Raby, Nevada State Director of the Bureau of Land Management, represented the federal agency perspective. Members of Congress including Representatives Maloy, Hurd, Fulcher, Lee, and Ansari also testified as sponsors of the bills. The hearing reflected broad bipartisan support for geothermal development. Witnesses and lawmakers emphasized the need to address permitting backlogs and reduce regulatory delays that slow project deployment. The bills collectively aim to increase federal agency capacity for geothermal processing while accelerating the development of next-generation geothermal technology on public lands. A legislative hearing does not guarantee bills will advance; the subcommittee must decide whether to recommend them for further consideration.
| Name | Position | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryant JonesGeothermal Rising | Executive Director | |
| Mr. Jon RabyBureau of Land Management | Nevada State Director | |
| Mr. Paul ThomsenOrmat Technologies, Inc. | Vice President of Business Development | |
| Mr. Tim LatimerFervo Energy | Co-Founder & CEO | |
| Ms. Kerry RohrmeierThe Nature Conservancy | Nevada Climate & Energy Strategy Director | |
| The Honorable Celeste Maloy | Member of Congress | |
| The Honorable Jeff Hurd | Member of Congress | |
| The Honorable Russ Fulcher | Member of Congress | |
| The Honorable Susie Lee | Member of Congress | |
| The Honorable Yassamin Ansari | Member of Congress |
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
Mar 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 5, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 5, 2026