FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Christianné Allen, Christianne.Allen@mail.house.gov
CONTACT: Marisa Melton, Marisa.Melton@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) announced Congresswoman Susie Lee (Nevada-03) as a co-lead to the bipartisan Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act.
The bill, H.R. 1687, passed the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress on a bipartisan basis and is part of a broader effort in the House to increase domestic power production and diversify the United States’ energy portfolio to meet growing demand.
Congressman Fulcher stated, “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.”
According to the Department of Energy, the United States leads the world in geothermal electricity-generating capacity—just over four gigawatts. That's enough to power the equivalent of about three million U.S. homes.
Congresswoman Lee stated, “Here in Nevada and across the nation, geothermal is a promising and proven 24/7 clean energy source with immense potential for further growth. I'm helping lead the bipartisan CLEAN Act to ramp up geothermal projects on federally controlled lands so we can lower energy costs, protect the environment, and advance American energy independence."
Congressman Fulcher formally introduced the legislation in February; read the initial press release here.
Bill Background
To begin developing geothermal resources on federally controlled lands, projects must first obtain a lease, making consistent lease sales crucial to the expansion of this energy source. The lack of geothermal leasing and the slow permitting process results in timelines longer than many other energy projects.
The CLEAN Act amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to:
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Require yearly lease sales for geothermal energy;
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Require the Secretary to hold replacement lease sales for any sales that are missed in a given calendar year.