Overview

Title

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas.

ELI5 AI

H.R. 6474 is a plan to change the rules so that finding and using underground heat (called geothermal energy) in places already checked out or used before can happen faster and easier, just like looking for oil and gas.

Summary AI

H.R. 6474 aims to change the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to make it easier and faster to explore and develop geothermal energy in areas that have already been studied or developed. This bill modifies specific sections of the existing law by including geothermal energy alongside oil and gas, which could streamline the approval process for geothermal projects. The goal is to promote the use of geothermal resources by reducing regulatory hurdles.

Published

2024-09-18
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Reported in House
Date: 2024-09-18
Package ID: BILLS-118hr6474rh

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
1
Words:
365
Pages:
4
Sentences:
7

Language

Nouns: 108
Verbs: 29
Adjectives: 7
Adverbs: 3
Numbers: 31
Entities: 25

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.83
Average Sentence Length:
52.14
Token Entropy:
4.43
Readability (ARI):
25.77

AnalysisAI

The proposed legislation, identified as H.R. 6474, aims to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development. The bill incorporates geothermal resources alongside oil and gas for purposes related to specific provisions. This change suggests that geothermal activities would be treated similarly to oil and gas projects concerning certain assessments and procedural considerations.

Summary of Significant Issues

Several issues arise from this proposed amendment. The first major issue is fiscal responsibility. By including geothermal resources within the same regulatory framework as oil and gas, there is ambiguity regarding whether this move might lead to increased spending or potential waste in advancing geothermal projects without proper oversight. Although geothermal energy is often seen as a sustainable resource, the absence of clarity on fiscal impacts raises some flags.

Secondly, the amendment's language introduces ambiguity in its interpretation. The bill does not clearly outline what procedural or regulatory changes would occur with the inclusion of geothermal resources. This vagueness could lead to confusion in both legal and operational contexts, complicating implementation and potentially leading to disputes or delays.

Lastly, the bill does not address its impact on existing stakeholders in the oil, gas, or geothermal industries. These industries might have differing capacities to adapt to new regulations, and the lack of clarity on this front may result in concerns about possible preferential treatment, thereby creating political and economic friction.

Potential Impact on the Public

For the general public, this bill can be seen as part of a broader effort to embrace clean energy solutions like geothermal. While this is beneficial in terms of environmental impact, uncertainties around fiscal responsibility and regulatory clarity might lead to ineffective use of taxpayer money. Additionally, if the amendment streamlines geothermal development without adequate safeguards, it could pose a risk to environmental and community interests.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders in the geothermal industry, this amendment might open opportunities for growth and development by reducing regulatory barriers. This could foster innovation and significantly contribute to achieving broader clean energy goals. However, without explicit guidelines, these stakeholders may also face regulatory uncertainties that could hinder planning and investment.

On the other hand, stakeholders in the oil and gas industries might view the changes with caution. The integration of geothermal development might imply more competition for resources or regulatory complexities that could impact their operations. Additionally, if the amendment inadvertently favors geothermal projects, oil and gas entities might feel at a disadvantage, which could impact their strategic decisions.

In summary, while the intent behind H.R. 6474 is to streamline geothermal development and therefore potentially bolster clean energy initiatives, the bill's successful implementation would require careful attention to fiscal implications, regulatory clarity, and fair treatment of all energy stakeholders to realize its full potential without unintended consequences.

Issues

  • The amendment to include geothermal alongside oil and gas developments does not specify whether this will involve additional spending or could lead to wasteful expenditures, which raises concerns about fiscal responsibility and the potential for inefficient use of resources. (Section 1)

  • The language used in the amendment is unclear as it does not specify changes in regulatory procedures or implications of including geothermal resources, leading to ambiguity in interpretation and implementation, which might result in legal or operational confusion. (Section 1)

  • The amendment does not address how it might affect existing stakeholders in the oil, gas, or geothermal industries, potentially leading to concerns about preferential treatment or unfair advantages, which could be politically and economically contentious. (Section 1)

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. NEPA review Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section modifies the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to include geothermal resources alongside oil and gas in certain provisions. This means that activities related to geothermal exploration or development will now be subject to the same considerations as oil and gas projects within the specified subsections of the Act.