Congresswoman Lee Co-Leads Pair of Bipartisan Bills to Boost Geothermal Energy

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced her co-leadership of two bipartisan bills to support the continued expansion of American geothermal energy production. The bills are the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act and the Geothermal Energy Opportunity (GEO) Act. Congresswoman Lee also recently led the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms (STEAM) Act to give the geothermal industry the same flexibility to explore and develop on previously disturbed or studied public lands that the oil and gas industry has had for nearly two decades.

“Here in Nevada and across the nation, geothermal is a promising and proven 24/7 clean energy source with immense potential for further growth,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “These bipartisan bills will tap into geothermal’s potential to help lower energy costs, protect the environment, and advance American energy independence.” 

Congresswoman Lee joined Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01) as the co-lead of the bipartisan Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act to require the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to increase the frequency of geothermal lease sales from at least once every two years to at least once every year in any state that has pending nominations of federal land to be leased for geothermal energy projects. The bill would also require replacement lease sales for any sales that are missed in a given calendar year. 

“Geothermal is a powerful source of clean, safe, and dependable energy. The CLEAN Act will streamline the permitting process for geothermal exploration, development, and production on federal lands. I am glad to welcome Congresswoman Lee as a co-lead on this vital effort, and I look forward to working with our congressional colleagues to deliver this legislation to the President’s desk,” said Congressman Fulcher.

Additionally, Congresswoman Lee joined Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02) as the co-lead of the bipartisan Geothermal Energy Opportunity (GEO) Act to reform — and speed up — the federal permitting process for geothermal projects. The GEO Act would require DOI to process all applications for drilling permits, licenses, and other authorizations under an existing geothermal lease within 60 days of completing required reviews.

“Utah is a prime location to invest and develop in geothermal energy. In fact, Beaver County, Utah is home to one of the largest geothermal projects in the nation. Sadly, bureaucratic red tape regularly delays such projects. The GEO Act will enable us to produce geothermal energy more quickly in Utah and beyond as we seek to secure U.S. energy independence. I look forward to working together with Congresswoman Lee to get this bipartisan bill to the President’s desk,” said Congresswoman Maloy. 

“The geothermal industry is grateful for Representative Lee’s commitment to advancing bipartisan energy solutions and harnessing America’s untapped energy potential. The STEAM Act, the GEO Act, and the CLEAN Act are critical pieces of legislation that, together, will supercharge geothermal development across the country. These bills will accelerate innovation, cut red tape, and ensure America’s energy security and autonomy,” said Eavor Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs Jeanine Vany.

“Fervo applauds Representatives Susie Lee, Russ Fulcher, and Celeste Maloy for all of their leadership in advancing next-generation geothermal as a new source of clean, reliable, and affordable power for America. The bipartisan improvements in the CLEAN Act and the GEO Act will shorten project timelines and expand the range of possible geothermal projects, helping companies like Fervo provide more energy to power America’s economy at lower prices to consumers,” said Fervo Energy Senior Manager of Government Affairs & Policy Ben Serrurier.

“Geothermal Rising is thrilled with the re-introduction of both the GEO Act and the CLEAN Act, now strengthened by Rep. Susie Lee’s leadership as Democratic co-lead on both bills. This bipartisan support reflects a shared vision for America’s energy future—where geothermal plays a central role in meeting rising demand for power. These measures to accelerate geothermal lease sales and permit decisions are crucial to enable our members to responsibly harness the vast potential of the heat beneath our feet, creating much needed jobs and diversity in America’s energy portfolio. We commend Rep. Lee, Rep. Maloy, and Rep. Fulcher in championing these bills, and we look forward to continued collaboration to advance geothermal technologies and unleash geothermal energy in America,” said Geothermal Rising Executive Director Dr. Bryant Jones.

Nevada is already the second-largest producer of geothermal electricity in the country, as well as home to America’s first enhanced geothermal plant — “Project Red,” the result of a partnership between Google and Fervo Energy, which is actively producing carbon-free energy to power Google Cloud operations in Las Vegas as well as data centers across the state. The U.S. Department of Energy has found that enhanced geothermal systems such as Project Red could extend geothermal energy production nationwide and affordably power the equivalent of more than 65 million U.S. homes.

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