A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
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
The HEATS Act of 2026 proposes amendments to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. It aims to waive Federal drilling permit requirements for specific geothermal exploration and production activities on non-Federal surface estates. Under this bill, these activities would not be considered major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Additionally, the act would exempt these activities from requirements of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The legislation also addresses historic property preservation and ensures that royalty payments to the United States are not affected.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill shifts the primary oversight of geothermal activities from Federal permit requirements to State permit submission.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Geothermal operators benefit from reduced federal oversight and faster commencement timelines.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
By reducing regulatory hurdles for geothermal steam, the bill facilitates faster development of renewable energy sources.
The opposite
- Scored -7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill exempts geothermal activities from National Environmental Policy Act reviews and Endangered Species Act requirements.
- Scored -5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill's provisions specifically exclude Indian lands and resources managed in trust for Indian Tribes from its streamlined processes.
- Scored -3
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill explicitly excludes actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for Indian Tribes from its benefits.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Streamlined Geothermal Operations: Operators would no longer be required to obtain a Federal drilling permit for geothermal exploration and production on non-Federal surface estates, provided the United States holds less than a 50 percent ownership interest in the subsurface estate and a State permit is submitted to the Secretary (Section 2, subsection a).
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Faster Commencement of Activities: Geothermal activities could begin as early as 30 days after the operator submits a State permit to the Secretary (Section 2, subsection b, clause 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduced Environmental Oversight: Geothermal exploration and production activities would not be considered a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 2, subsection b, clause 1).
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Limited Wildlife Protection: These activities would not be subject to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Section 2, subsection b, clause 4).
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Potential Impact on Historic Preservation: Under certain conditions, these activities would only be considered an undertaking under the National Historic Preservation Act if the State in which the activity occurs has no law in effect addressing the preservation of historic properties (Section 2, subsection b, clause 5).
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Exclusions for Indian Lands: The provisions of this section do not apply to actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for the benefit of Indian Tribes (Section 2, subsection d).
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The waiver of Federal drilling permit requirements reduces regulatory burdens for geothermal operators. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill streamlines geothermal exploration and production activities, which can accelerate energy development and associated jobs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill shifts the primary oversight of geothermal activities from Federal permit requirements to State permit submission.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill explicitly excludes actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for Indian Tribes from its benefits.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Geothermal operators benefit from reduced federal oversight and faster commencement timelines. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Increased geothermal development may provide local economic activity in rural areas where these resources are located. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill's provisions specifically exclude Indian lands and resources managed in trust for Indian Tribes from its streamlined processes.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — By reducing regulatory hurdles for geothermal steam, the bill facilitates faster development of renewable energy sources. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill exempts geothermal activities from National Environmental Policy Act reviews and Endangered Species Act requirements.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 7/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah