S. 4605 · In committee · Energy

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2026

What it does

Authorizes the Department of the Interior to collect fees from geothermal lease applicants and holders through September 30, 2032 to reimburse the United States for processing applications and issuing permits.
Permits Interior to charge fees to recover costs of inspecting and monitoring geothermal exploration, development, and reclamation activities on federal land.
Allows Interior to reduce or waive fees if full reimbursement would cause economic hardship or if reduced fees would promote greater use of geothermal resources.
Requires Interior to submit a report to Congress within five years assessing the fees' impact on the geothermal leasing program and recommending any updates.

Official summary

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2026 This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to give the Department of the Interior the authority to collect certain fees from applicants for, or holders of, geothermal leases through September 30, 2032. Specifically, Interior may direct those applicants or leaseholders to reimburse the United States for costs from (1) processing applications for geothermal leases on federal land, such as applications for geothermal drilling permits; and (2) inspecting and monitoring geothermal exploration and development activities, including reclamation activities. Interior may reduce the amount of the fee if it determines that (1) the full reimbursement would impose an economic hardship on the applicant, or (2) a less than full reimbursement is necessary to promote the greatest use of geothermal resources. Interior may use those fees only to the extent that they are provided in advance in appropriations acts for (1) processing applications for geothermal leases, and (2) inspecting and monitoring related exploration and development activities. Within five years of the bill's enactment, Interior must submit to Congress a report that includes…

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