119th (2025–2027)
S. 4975
The HEATS Act modifies federal rules for geothermal energy development by eliminating the requirement for federal drilling permits when companies conduct geothermal exploration and production on private land where the federal government owns less than 50 percent of the subsurface geothermal resources. The bill streamlines the process by allowing projects to proceed 30 days after a company submits a state permit to the federal government, significantly reducing federal oversight and environmental review timelines. The legislation exempts these activities from major federal environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and from consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act, though it maintains the federal government's ability to collect royalties from electricity production and conduct inspections to verify payment. The bill does not apply to geothermal activities on Native American lands or tribal trust resources, which remain subject to existing federal protections. This change primarily affects private landowners and geothermal energy companies seeking to develop resources on non-federal lands with mixed federal subsurface ownership.