S. 4383 · In committee · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act

What it does

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to appoint a Geothermal Ombudsman within the Bureau of Land Management within 60 days of enactment.
Directs the Geothermal Ombudsman to provide dispute resolution services, monitor permit processing timelines, and develop best practices for geothermal resource permitting and leasing.
Establishes a Geothermal Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management, headed by the Geothermal Ombudsman, to support permit processing.
Authorizes the Geothermal Ombudsman to coordinate cross-office personnel assignments from other departmental bureaus to assist with geothermal authorizations, subject to approval and availability of appropriations for retention allowances up to 25 percent of basic pay.
Requires the Geothermal Ombudsman to submit an annual report to Congress evaluating geothermal permit processing and Task Force activities.

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