H.R. 5617: Geothermal Gold Book Development Act

The Geothermal Gold Book Development Act is a bill that aims to improve the process for geothermal energy development on federal lands. Here’s a breakdown of what this legislation would do:

Standard Procedures and Guidelines

Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Department of the Interior will identify and develop standard procedures and guidelines for:

• Geothermal leasing and permit issuance: These will be aimed at ensuring that geothermal operations are efficient and environmentally responsible.

Publication of the Gold Book

After identifying these procedures, the Department must publish a Gold Book within 180 days. This book will serve as a reference for:

• Field offices: Specifically, for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which manages public lands.
• Geothermal operators: Companies or individuals engaging in geothermal energy production.

Consultation Process

Before the Gold Book is published, the Department of the Interior must consult with:

• Other relevant federal agencies, including the BLM field offices.
• Outside stakeholders, including developers and experts in the geothermal industry.

Contents of the Gold Book

The Gold Book will include:

• Land use planning: Guidelines for geothermal lease sales.
• Efficient review processes: A framework for reviewing and approving environmentally responsible geothermal development, including:
• Exploration and geophysical operations
• Permitting lease operations
• Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Construction and maintenance operations
• Drilling and production operations
• Handling appeals
• Identifying relevant categorical exclusions available at each project stage

Periodic Review

The Department of the Interior is also required to:

• Review the Gold Book at least every five years.
• Make necessary revisions to keep it up-to-date.

Relevant Companies

• ORPN (Ormat Technologies, Inc.): A major player in the geothermal sector, the company could be impacted by changes in leasing and permitting processes on federal lands.
• CALP (Calpine Corporation): This company is involved in renewable energy, including geothermal, and may need to adjust operations according to new guidelines.