General Summary of the Bill

H.R. 1687, also known as the "Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act" or the "CLEAN Act," proposes amendments to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. The main objectives of this bill are to increase the frequency of lease sales for geothermal energy development and ensure that any canceled or delayed sales are replaced within the same year. Additionally, the bill mandates that all nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development be offered during lease sales. Another significant component of the bill involves setting strict deadlines for the processing of geothermal drilling permits to expedite the application process.

Summary of Significant Issues

Several issues arise with the proposed amendments. First, the requirement for replacement sales if original lease sales are canceled or delayed lacks specific criteria for what justifies such cancellation or delay. This could create ambiguity and inconsistencies in how the law is implemented.

Second, the bill mandates offering all nominated parcels for geothermal development. This broad approach does not account for environmental, community, or ecological concerns, potentially leading to overdevelopment in sensitive areas.

Third, the legislation imposes rigid timelines for government action regarding drilling permits, without allowing flexibility for complex or contested cases. Such strict deadlines might lead to hasty decisions, undermining thorough evaluations of applications.

Finally, there is no detailed explanation for evaluating or determining the eligibility of applications and parcels, which may lead to potential inconsistency or favoritism in the geothermal development process.

Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders

The proposed changes in H.R. 1687 could have varied impacts on the public and specific groups:

• General Public: For the general public, the legislation aims to expedite and enhance the development of geothermal energy, which could lead to an increased supply of renewable energy. This has potential benefits for reducing overall reliance on fossil fuels and, consequently, environmental benefits from decreased greenhouse gas emissions.

• Environmental Concerns: Environmental groups express concerns with the broad offering of nominated parcels, as it may trigger overdevelopment in ecologically sensitive areas without sufficient environmental scrutiny, upsetting the local ecosystems and biodiversity.

• Energy Industry: The accelerated lease and permit process benefits the energy industry, particularly companies focused on geothermal energy. These companies could potentially see a quicker return on investments due to the expedited timelines for lease approval and drilling permits.

• Local Communities: There could be mixed effects on local communities. On one hand, increased geothermal development might lead to more local job opportunities and economic growth. On the other hand, if environmental standards are not adequately considered, communities could face negative impacts from overdevelopment, such as depletion of natural resources and increased environmental risks.

In summary, while H.R. 1687 aims to streamline and boost geothermal energy development, it raises significant concerns about environmental and procedural oversight. Balancing the need for sustainable energy growth with environmental protection and transparent procedures will be crucial for its successful implementation.