“Gold Book” Protocol to Improve Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility in Geothermal Energy
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) led a hearing as Ranking Member of the Energy and Minerals Subcommittee of the Natural Resources Committee on nine bills on geothermal energy development, including her legislation, the Geothermal Gold Book Development Act.
Ansari’s Geothermal Gold Book Development Act establishes clear, consistent procedures and guidelines for geothermal leasing, exploration, permitting, and development. The bill directs the Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to create a “Gold Book” for geothermal energy, mirroring gold books already in use in oil, wind, and solar sectors.
“Harnessing the Earth’s internal heat through geothermal energy is a promising source of renewable power,” said Rep. Ansari. “But as the fastest-growing energy source in the United States, it must be regulated and reviewed by a nationwide, standardized system. Creating a Gold Book would allow us to move forward, safely, into a more sustainable future of geothermal harvesting—delivering energy to people and safeguarding our environment.”
WATCH Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources hearing on H.R. 5617 (Rep. Ansari), "Geothermal Gold Book Development Act"
The Geothermal Gold Book Development Act is cosponsored by Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02) and supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Geothermal Rising, and Fervo.
The bill covers a process for developing the Gold Book, including timing targets and deadlines, project guidelines and content, and other agencies or offices needed for consultation:
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Within 1 year of enactment, BLM must develop standard procedures for efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal permitting.
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Within 180 days after that, BLM must publish the Gold Book for use by both field offices and geothermal operators.
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The Gold Book must cover the end-to-end lifecycle of geothermal projects, including:
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Land use planning and lease sales
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Exploration and geophysical operations
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Permitting and approval of lease operations
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Environmental compliance
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Construction and maintenance
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Drilling and production operations
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Appeals processes
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Available categorical exclusions at each stage
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Development of the Gold Book will involve input from:
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Relevant federal agencies, including BLM field offices
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Potentially outside stakeholders, including developers
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The Gold Book must be reviewed at least once every 5 years and revised as necessary to reflect new best practices or policy changes.
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