Bill > S4383

This bill, titled the "Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act," aims to streamline the process for geothermal energy projects on public lands by establishing two key roles within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). First, it mandates the appointment of a Geothermal Ombudsman within 60 days of enactment, who will serve as a liaison between BLM offices, facilitate dispute resolution between applicants and BLM offices, monitor permit processing, develop best practices for geothermal permitting and leasing, and coordinate with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. Second, it establishes a Geothermal Permitting Task Force, also within 60 days, which will be led by the Geothermal Ombudsman and support their duties. This Task Force can assign personnel from other Department of the Interior bureaus or offices to assist with geothermal authorizations, provided it doesn't delay their home office's work and receives approval from the assigned employee's duty station head. These assigned personnel will work full-time in a Department office, potentially travel to where the authorization is needed, and report to the relevant BLM field office. The Ombudsman can also offer retention allowances, up to 25% of an employee's basic pay, to incentivize these specialized personnel. Finally, the Geothermal Ombudsman will submit an annual report to Congress detailing the Task Force's activities and evaluating the effectiveness of geothermal permit processing.