H.R. 7409: HEATS Act

118th Congress · Sponsored from California · In committee

What this bill does

Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act or the HEATS ActThis bill exempts certain geothermal activities on state and private lands (except Indian lands) from drilling permit requirements as well as environmental and historic preservation review requirements.First, the bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from requiring an operator to obtain a drilling permit under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 for any geothermal exploration and production activity conducted on a nonfederal surface estate (i.e., the part of the estate that is above ground) if (1) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50% of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action, and (2) the operator submits to Interior a state permit to conduct the geothermal exploration and production activity on the nonfederal surface estate. Next, the bill states that such geothermal exploration and production activity is not considered a major federal action under National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thus, such activity does not trigger NEPA's environmental review requirements.In addition, the bill exempts such activity from the consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It also exempts the activity from review under the National Historic Preservation Act unless the state in which the activity occurs does not have a state law that addresses the preservation of historic properties.

Key facts

• Status In committee
• Introduced 2024-02-20
• Policy area Energy
• Cosponsors 2
• Latest action Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsor

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Lead sponsor · California

R

Who funds the sponsor?

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40] introduced H.R. 7409. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with H.R. 7409? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →