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HR 2171 112th Congress House Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative remedies Alternative and renewable resources Department of the Interior Environmental regulatory procedures Land use and conservation

Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act

Introduced: June 14, 2011 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 14, 2011
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 167.
Oct 14, 2011
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-251.
Jul 13, 2011
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 16.
Jul 13, 2011
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.
Jul 13, 2011
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 23, 2011
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jun 16, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Jun 14, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jun 14, 2011
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act - Exempts projects determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be geothermal exploration test projects from environmental impact statement requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

Defines a "geothermal exploration test project" as the drilling of a well to test or explore for geothermal resources on lands leased by the Department of the Interior for the development and production of geothermal resources, that is completed in less than 45 days, that causes less than five acres of soil or vegetation disruption at the location of each well and no more than five additional acres of soil or vegetation disruption during access or egress to the test site, and that is developed: (1) no deeper than 2,500 feet, (2) less than eight inches in diameter, (3) in a manner that does not require off-road motorized access other than to and from the well site along an identified off-road route, (4) without construction of new roads other than upgrading of existing drainage crossings for safety purposes, and (5) with the use of rubber-tired digging or drilling equipment vehicles. Requires the restoration of the project site within three years to approximately the condition that existed at the time the project began, unless the site is subsequently used as part of energy development on the lease.

Requires: (1) a leaseholder intending to carry out a geothermal exploration test project to provide notice to the Secretary within 30 days prior to the start of drilling, (2) the Secretary to review a project within 10 days of receipt of such notice and to notify such leaseholder either that such NEPA requirements do not apply or that project deficiencies preclude the NEPA exemption, and (3) the Secretary to allow such leaseholder an opportunity to remedy any such deficiencies prior to the date such leaseholder intended to start drilling.

What's happening now October 14, 2011

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 167.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 2