Plain Language Summary
# STEAM Act Summary **What It Does** The STEAM Act would speed up the government approval process for geothermal energy projects by reducing environmental review requirements. Specifically, it would allow certain geothermal drilling activities to skip the detailed environmental assessments normally required under federal law. This exemption would apply to drilling in areas where geothermal work has already happened in the past five years, or in established geothermal fields where drilling was already identified as a planned activity. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily benefits geothermal energy companies and developers by reducing regulatory delays and costs for new projects.
It could also affect communities near geothermal sites, as some environmental reviews would be streamlined. Supporters argue this helps expand renewable energy production, while critics may contend it reduces environmental oversight. **Current Status** The bill (HR 1077) was introduced by Representative Susie Lee (D-Nevada) in the 119th Congress and is currently under review in committee. It has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms Act or the STEAM ActThis bill expedites the environmental review of certain geothermal energy activities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Specifically, the bill expands the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to include certain geothermal exploration or development activities in an existing categorical exclusion from NEPA for certain oil or gas activities. A categorical exclusion applies to a class of actions that do not require an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement under NEPA.The categorical exclusion established by the bill applies to drilling a geothermal well (1) in an area where drilling has occurred previously within the five years prior to the date when drilling begins; or (2) within a developed field for which an approved land use plan or environmental document prepared under NEPA determined drilling to be a reasonably foreseeable activity, so long as the plan or document was approved within the five years prior to the date when drilling begins.
Latest Action
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.