Geothermal Gold Book Development Act

The Geothermal Gold Book Development Act would direct the Department of Interior to develop and publish a standardized reference guide, called a Gold Book, for geothermal energy operations on federal lands. This bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote. Within one year of enactment, the Department would consult with other federal agencies to identify standard procedures and guidelines for efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting. Within 180 days after that, the Department would publish the Gold Book for use by Bureau of Land Management field offices and geothermal operators.

The Gold Book would cover the complete lifecycle of geothermal projects and serve as a reference tool to guide permitting decisions and operations. The Department would be required to review and revise the Gold Book at least once every five years to keep it current. If enacted, this bill would provide clearer, more consistent guidance for both government staff and private companies involved in geothermal energy development on the roughly 245 million acres of public lands where the Bureau of Land Management has authority to issue geothermal leases. The standardized procedures could help streamline the permitting process while maintaining environmental and safety standards.