A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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
The "FREEDOM Act" aims to speed up the authorization process for energy and mineral projects by setting strict federal deadlines for permits. It allows project sponsors to sue agencies that miss these deadlines and permits the use of court-approved contractors to complete necessary documentation. The bill also protects "fully permitted projects" from being halted by federal officials without specific, substantiated harm or illegalities. Additionally, it provides regulatory clarity for hardrock mining mill sites and introduces several advancements for geothermal energy development, including a new Ombudsman and updated operating guidelines.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
Significantly reduces regulatory uncertainty and permitting timelines for energy and mining businesses.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
It specifically promotes the development of geothermal energy through an Ombudsman and updated guidelines.
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Mining and geothermal projects are typically rural, providing economic activity to these areas.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
By expediting mineral and energy project permits, it likely increases fossil fuel and mineral extraction.
- Scored -3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill limits the government's ability to halt fully permitted projects and streamlines NEPA reviews.
- Scored -3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill limits the discretion of federal agencies to halt projects and introduces judicial remedies against the government.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Lower Cost of Living: The bill's findings suggest that reducing regulatory uncertainty and permitting delays can lower the cost of building energy and mineral infrastructure, which in turn may lower the cost of living for families and reduce power prices for homes and businesses (Sec. 2).
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Faster Energy Infrastructure: By establishing deadlines of 90 days for routine authorizations and 1 year for complex authorizations, the bill aims to prevent catastrophic financial losses for project sponsors and encourage investment in energy infrastructure (Sec. 12102).
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Geothermal Energy Support: The creation of a Geothermal Ombudsman and a Permitting Task Force is intended to facilitate permit processing and develop best practices for geothermal resources (Sec. 304).
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Mining Resource Management: The bill allows for the location of mill site claims that are reasonably necessary for mineral development, while creating an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund to carry out cleanup activities (Sec. 201).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Geothermal Applicants: The Secretary of the Interior may now require geothermal lease applicants or holders to reimburse the United States for all reasonable administrative and inspection costs (Sec. 302).
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Increased Geothermal Royalties: The bill modifies the Geothermal Steam Act to impose royalties on electricity produced from geothermal resources, ranging from 1% to 5% of gross proceeds depending on the age of the facility (Sec. 305).
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Limited Federal Oversight: The bill prohibits federal officials from halting or suspending "fully permitted projects" unless there is a clear, immediate, and substantiated harm or the authorization is illegal, which limits the government's ability to stop projects (Sec. 12301).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Significantly reduces regulatory uncertainty and permitting timelines for energy and mining businesses. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Mining and geothermal projects are typically rural, providing economic activity to these areas. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Supports the interests of large energy company owners by limiting federal project halts. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Increases the value and viability of large-scale energy and mineral investments. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Facilitates large-scale capital projects in the energy sector. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Potential for lower power prices and reduced cost of living as a result of increased energy infrastructure. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Potential for lower energy costs through reduced regulatory delays. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased construction of energy infrastructure typically increases demand for union labor.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Reducing regulatory uncertainty and speeding up project authorizations supports energy security and economic competitiveness. Is this likely to create jobs? — Expediting energy and mineral projects encourages investment and infrastructure development, potentially creating jobs. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Faster permitting processes reduce financial risks for project sponsors, including smaller entities. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — The bill aims to lower the cost of living and power prices by reducing regulatory delays in energy infrastructure.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — It specifically promotes the development of geothermal energy through an Ombudsman and updated guidelines. Does this invest in rural communities? — Mining and geothermal projects are often located in rural areas, bringing investment to those regions. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Creates an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund for cleanup activities on public lands. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill provides specific advancements and expedited permitting for geothermal energy, a renewable resource. Is this likely to lower the price at the pump? — Increasing energy infrastructure and production generally leads to lower energy costs for consumers. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — By expediting mineral and energy project permits, it likely increases fossil fuel and mineral extraction. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill limits the government's ability to halt fully permitted projects and streamlines NEPA reviews.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Provides project sponsors with clear deadlines and a judicial path to challenge agency inaction. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Streamlining energy infrastructure enhances the movement of energy across state lines. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires agencies to publish project schedules and identify authorizations clearly. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill limits the discretion of federal agencies to halt projects and introduces judicial remedies against the government.
- 6/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada