HR 5631

Geothermal Energy Advancement Act

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. 

Bill status

Status: Passed House
Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Hurd [R-CO-3]
Cosponsors: 5
Policy area: Energy
Introduced: 2025-09-30
Latest action: 2026-09-17: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 663.

Committee referrals

Recent actions

2026-09-17: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 663.
2026-09-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
2026-09-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
2026-07-29: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
2026-07-15: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.