H.R. 5631 Passed the House Energy

Geothermal Energy Advancement Act

To appoint a Geothermal Ombudsman and establish a Geothermal Permitting Task Force from within the Bureau of Land Management, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3] Introduced September 30, 2025 Cosponsors 5 (2 R, 3 D) Latest action September 17, 2026

Summary

Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act
This bill establishes a geothermal ombudsman and task force to oversee geothermal project permitting and authorizations on federal land.
The Department of the Interior must appoint a geothermal ombudsman from within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ombudsman must act as a liaison among different parts of BLM, provide dispute resolution services between BLM and geothermal project applicants, and facilitate permit processing in different BLM field offices regarding geothermal projects on federal land.
The ombudsman must also lead the Geothermal Permitting Task Force established by this bill. The task force must support the ombudsman’s duties. Through the task force, the ombudsman may reassign employees from other Interior bureaus or offices to assist in the completion of geothermal authorizations. The ombudsman may pay a retention allowance to reassigned employees. 

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Sep 17, 2026 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 663.
  2. Sep 17, 2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
  3. Jul 29, 2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  4. Jul 15, 2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
  5. Jun 3, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  6. Jun 2, 2026 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
  7. Jun 2, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H3760-3761)
  8. Jun 2, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  9. Jun 2, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5631.
  10. Jun 2, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3760-3765)
  11. Jun 2, 2026 Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  12. May 20, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 574.

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