Interior Department to fast-track geothermal permitting with new federal handbook
H.R. 5617 — Geothermal Gold Book Development Act · Filed by Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Sep 30, 2025 · Reported out
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What it does
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to update and publish a standardized handbook (the 'Gold Book') for geothermal leasing and permitting on federal lands. The handbook will consolidate procedures and guidelines for efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal development, incorporating standards for exploration, drilling, construction, and compliance. The Secretary must consult with federal agencies, the Bureau of Land Management field offices, and industry stakeholders before publishing, and must review and update the handbook at least every five years.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is to standardize and publish federal procedures for geothermal permitting and leasing. It is a procedural modernization measure that aims to reduce regulatory friction while maintaining environmental standards.
What the text implies
- Standardized procedures may accelerate geothermal permitting timelines, potentially increasing the pace of federal geothermal lease issuance and development on public lands.
- The bill requires consultation with 'developers and other experts' alongside federal agencies, potentially giving industry stakeholders formal input into the standards that will govern their own permitting—a capture risk if industry voices dominate the consultation.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
geothermal energy developers and operators; companies with geothermal leases or exploration rights on federal lands; engineering and consulting firms specializing in geothermal permitting