WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 5576 · 119th Congress

Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Reported by committeeEnvironmental Protection
IntroducedSep 26, 2025
Passed HouseNot yet
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Reported by committee. Latest step, Aug 27, 2026: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 674.

What it does

Sourced

Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

This bill exempts certain projects and activities related to geothermal development on federal land from environmental review requirements.

Specifically, the bill exempts certain geothermal exploration projects with limited impact on federal land from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Geothermal exploration projects are those that involve the drilling of geothermal exploratory wells, such as temperature gradient wells, monitoring wells, or calibration wells, and that are limited in size, duration, and other aspects in accordance with specified criteria.

The bill also exempts from NEPA the following activities related to the exploration, development, or production of geothermal resources: (1) geotechnical investigations; (2) off-road travel in certain existing rights-of-way; and (3) the construction, maintenance, realignment, and repair of access roads within such rights-of-way.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Aug 27, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Aug 27, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 674.House floor actions
  2. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-773.House floor actions
  3. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-773.Library of Congress
  4. Mar 5, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.House committee actions
  5. Mar 5, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  6. Mar 5, 2026Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources DischargedHouse committee actions
  7. Dec 16, 2025Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  8. Dec 9, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.House committee actions
  9. Sep 26, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  10. Sep 26, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  11. Sep 26, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Cosponsors

  • Nicholas J. Begich III R-AK-At Large
  • Mike Kennedy R-UT-3
  • Celeste Maloy R-UT-2