H.R. 1687 · Passed House · Energy

CLEAN Act

Sponsor: Russ Fulcher (R-ID)

What it does

• Require the Department of Interior to hold geothermal lease sales on federal land at least once per year in states with pending nominations, rather than the current two-year frequency.
• Mandate that Interior offer all pending nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development in lease sales, subject to applicable resource management plans.
• Require Interior to conduct replacement lease sales in the same calendar year if any sale is canceled or delayed.
• Establish deadlines for Interior to respond to applications for geothermal drilling permits.

Official summary

Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act or the CLEAN Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to increase the frequency of lease sales for developing and utilizing geothermal energy on federal land. Specifically, Interior must hold lease sales at least once a year (rather than two years) in states with pending nominations of federal land to be leased for geothermal energy development. In conducting such lease sales, Interior must offer all of the pending nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development and utilization under the resource management plan in effect for the state. If a lease sale is canceled or delayed, Interior must conduct a replacement sale during the same year. Finally, the bill establishes deadlines for Interior to respond to applications for geothermal drilling permits.

Latest action

Jul 15, 2026: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

Committee: Senate Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee