# Plain Language Summary: Geothermal and Energy Development Environmental Review Bill

This bill makes it easier for companies to develop geothermal energy projects and conduct certain energy-related activities on federal lands by reducing the amount of environmental review they have to do. Specifically, it changes the rules about when the government can skip the detailed environmental impact studies that are normally required before approving these projects.

Here's what that means in practical terms: When a company wants to drill for geothermal energy (heat from deep underground used to generate electricity) or do similar energy work on public lands, federal agencies currently have to complete thorough environmental reviews under a law called the National Environmental Policy Act. This process can take months or years and examines potential impacts on wildlife, water, air quality, and other environmental factors. This bill creates new categories of geothermal and energy activities that are automatically considered to have minimal environmental impact, allowing agencies to skip or streamline these reviews.

The main people affected are energy companies looking to develop geothermal resources, which could speed up their projects and reduce costs. Environmental groups and communities near these projects might be concerned because fewer environmental reviews could mean less public input and potentially less protection for local ecosystems. Taxpayers and the general public could see benefits through faster renewable energy development, since geothermal is a clean energy source, but might lose opportunities to weigh in on projects that could affect their areas. The bill essentially bets that certain geothermal activities are safe enough to not require the full environmental review process that has been standard practice for decades.

A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to describe the scope of activities subject to a presumption of the applicability of an exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Lee, Mike

 <p>This bill revises the environmental review of projects on federal lands to expedite geothermal exploration or development activities.</p>