Bill > HR1719

This bill, the Geothermal Production Expansion Act of 2015, amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the Department of the Interior to grant noncompetitive leases for geothermal development on up to 640 acres of federal land under specific conditions. These conditions include that the land must be available, not already leased or nominated for lease, and that the applicant must already possess the legal right to develop geothermal resources on adjacent land. The applicant must also provide sufficient data, verified by a qualified geothermal professional (an experienced engineer or geoscientist), demonstrating a valid discovery of geothermal resources on their adjacent land and that these resources extend into the federal land. The bill defines "fair market value per acre" for these leases, ensuring it's at least four times the median amount paid per acre for other leases in the preceding year or $50, whichever is greater. The Department of the Interior must determine this fair market value, publish notices of lease requests, and allow for public comment and appeals of the final valuation. Lessees will be required to make annual rental payments equivalent to those for competitively leased lands.