Exempts small geothermal exploration drilling projects on federal leases from the major federal action review under the National Environmental Policy Act and requires lease holders to notify the Interior Secretary 30 days before drilling begins.

• Defines a geothermal exploration project as an exploratory well drilled on a federal geothermal lease with a last casing under 13 3/8 inches, under 8 unreclaimed acres at one time, completion within 180 days, and site restoration within 3 years.
• Provides that these projects and related covered activities, such as geotechnical investigations and work on access roads and rights-of-way, are not major federal actions under NEPA section 102(2)(C).
• Requires the lease holder to notify the Secretary at least 30 days before drilling starts on a project.
• Finds that the Bureau of Land Management adopted categorical exclusions from the Navy and Forest Service for geothermal exploration in April 2024, which are expected to speed review of exploration proposals.

• Natural Resources Committee (House)
• Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee

Environmental Protection