Geothermal Energy Legislation Gains Momentum in the U.S. Congress
Amidst rising interest in geothermal energy in Arizona, U.S. lawmakers are pushing forward legislative efforts to bolster the industry. A recent development in the House of Representatives has seen the passage of a bill aimed at setting standards for geothermal leasing and permitting on federal lands.
This bill, sponsored by Representative Yassamin Ansari, was included in a broader, bipartisan package of energy-related legislation approved by the House on Tuesday. Ansari, in a video posted to X, emphasized the bill’s role in accelerating geothermal projects, stating, “This bill is going to be a very practical solution to make sure that we’re continuing to accelerate clean energy in the United States of America.”
In parallel, Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego has introduced a complementary bill in the Senate. This proposal would permit the Department of Interior to recover administrative costs from geothermal developers, mirroring a provision in the House package sponsored by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
