Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) testified before the House Committee on Rules in support of H.R. 1449, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act or the CLEAN Act.

Below are Westerman's full remarks, as prepared.

"Thank you, Chairman Burgess, for the opportunity to testify today in support of H.R. 1449, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act or the CLEAN Act.

The Department of Energy predicts geothermal energy could provide over 90 gigawatts of electricity by 2050. Because most of our country’s geothermal resources are located in the West, reaching this goal depends on a pro-energy federal regulatory structure. Suffice it to say the status quo is in dire need of reform.

The only way we can meet this goal is to increase the rate of geothermal leasing and permitting.

H.R. 1449, introduced by my friend, Representative Fulcher, from Idaho, would increase the frequency of geothermal lease sales and streamline the process for geothermal drilling permits.

Over the last twenty years, as the shale revolution has boomed across the country and the world, America has led cutting-edge innovation in subsurface technologies directly transferable into the geothermal industry.

Geothermal energy has serious potential for growth in this country, but the best reservoirs are in the West on federal lands where federal bureaucracy gets in the way. We must do all we can to ensure that bureaucratic red tape does not hamper this resource moving forward. California is a prime example of a Western state with substantial geothermal potential. Still, despite language in the statute requiring lease sales every other year, there hasn’t been a geothermal lease sale in that state since 2016.

H.R. 1449 would fix this. The Secretary would be required to hold yearly lease sales and would be forced to hold replacement sales if one is missed.

H.R. 1449 would also require the Secretary to respond to geothermal drilling permits within 30 days of receipt to let the applicant know whether their application is complete. If it is deemed incomplete, the Secretary must explain what is missing from the application. If it is, the Secretary has 30 days to approve the permit.

Some may argue that these deadlines are too fast and don’t allow adequate time for agencies to complete reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental laws. However, the bill does not waive the agencies’ responsibilities under these laws. We all know from experience that agencies will not issue permits until they meet the necessary legal requirements.

It is imperative that America wins the race to energy dominance, as adversaries like China and Russia do not have our best interests in mind. Geothermal stands to play a pivotal role in our domestic energy portfolio, but we must ensure the leasing and permitting processes are as efficient as possible.

H.R. 1449 had a hearing and a markup in the Committee on Natural Resources and passed by voice. 

I urge the Rules Committee to report out an appropriate rule to allow for the bill’s consideration in the House and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

Thank you. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have."

Background

H.R. 1449, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act or CLEAN Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), addresses geothermal leasing and permitting issues by amending the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to require the Secretary of the Interior to hold lease sales annually for geothermal energy. If a lease sale is missed for any reason, the bill requires the secretary to hold replacement sales during the same year. The bill also requires the secretary to respond to geothermal drilling permit applications within 30 days of receipt.

To learn more, click here and here.