Strengthening Federal authorization for hot dry rock geothermal projects

(a) Hot dry rock geothermal project expert program (1) In general The Secretary of Energy shall establish and carry out a program to provide to the regional and district offices of the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service technical assistance with respect to Federal authorizations for hot dry rock geothermal projects, including research and development related to hot dry rock geothermal projects. (2) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. (b) Categorical exclusion for exploration and confirmation of hot dry rock geothermal energy Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by inserting, or the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) for the purpose of exploration of geothermal resources after or gas; and (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (2), by striking or gas and inserting, gas, or geothermal; and (B) in paragraph (3), by striking or gas and inserting, gas, or geothermal. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Expert The term expert means an individual who works or has worked in the energy sector and has expertise in disciplines including— (A) drilling and completion, including casing and well interventions; (B) geothermal field operations; (C) rock mechanics; (D) geophysics; (E) exploration technology; or (F) downhole technology, including packers and wire line tools. (2) Federal authorization The term Federal authorization — (A) means any authorization required under Federal law with respect to an activity on the area of a lease issued under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.); and (B) includes any authorization for siting, drilling, underground injection, surface operations, and generation of energy under such a lease.