Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the ``Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act'', aims to establish a Geothermal Ombudsman and a Geothermal Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with appointing the Ombudsman within 60 days of the Act's enactment. The Ombudsman will serve as a liaison, provide dispute resolution services, and monitor permit processing and timelines. Additionally, a Task Force will be created to support these duties. The bill also allows for cross-office personnel assignments to assist with geothermal authorizations. Finally, the Ombudsman must submit an annual report to relevant House and Senate committees.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill facilitates the deployment of geothermal energy by streamlining the permitting and authorization process.
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The creation of a Geothermal Ombudsman and Task Force aims to provide more predictable and efficient permitting for energy projects.
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Geothermal Ombudsman to submit an annual report to relevant Congressional committees regarding task force activities and permitting effectiveness.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Dispute Resolution: The Geothermal Ombudsman is tasked with providing dispute resolution services between the Bureau of Land Management and applicants for geothermal authorizations (Section 2(b)(2)(B)). This could help resolve conflicts more efficiently.
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Streamlined Permitting Processes: The Ombudsman will monitor and facilitate permit processing practices and timelines (Section 2(b)(2)(C)), which may help ensure projects move forward more predictably.
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Development of Efficient Standards: The creation of best practices for the geothermal permitting and leasing process (Section 2(b)(2)(D)) could lead to more consistent and efficient procedures for energy projects.
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Expert Assistance for Projects: Through the Task Force, the Ombudsman can assign personnel with relevant expertise to help complete geothermal authorizations (Section 2(c)(3) and Section 2(c)(4)(A)). This could provide extra help to field, district, or State offices.
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Employee Retention Incentives: The bill allows for retention allowances of up to 25 percent of basic pay to help retain employees with specialized expertise (Section 2(c)(4)(C)(i)). This is intended to help meet performance objectives for geothermal authorization timelines.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Possible Delays in Existing Offices: Cross-office personnel assignments are only permitted if the Departmental bureau or office determines that the assignment will not materially delay ongoing completion of authorizations within the employee's current office (Section 2(c)(4)(A)(i)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill facilitates the deployment of geothermal energy by streamlining the permitting and authorization process.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The creation of a Geothermal Ombudsman and Task Force aims to provide more predictable and efficient permitting for energy projects.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The streamlining of geothermal permitting processes may reduce administrative burdens for energy project applicants. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill facilitates geothermal energy projects which could lead to increased job opportunities in the energy sector.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Geothermal Ombudsman to submit an annual report to relevant Congressional committees regarding task force activities and permitting effectiveness.
- 7/15/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 4/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
James RischRepublican · Idaho