Section 1 NEPA review of geothermal exploration or development activities
“(6) Conversion of an oil or gas well to a geothermal well.”
“30. NEPA review of geothermal exploration or development activities
“(a) In general—Action by the Secretary in managing land subject to geothermal leasing under this Act with respect to any of the activities described in subsection (b) shall be subject to a rebuttable presumption that the use of a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (referred to in this section as “NEPA”) would apply if the activity is conducted pursuant to this Act for the purpose of exploration or development of geothermal resources.
“(b) Activities described—The activities referred to in subsection (a) are the following:
“(1) Individual surface disturbances of less than 5 acres, on the condition that—
“(A) the total surface disturbance on the lease is not greater than 150 acres; and
“(B) site-specific analysis in a document prepared pursuant to NEPA has been previously completed.
“(2) Drilling a geothermal well at a location or well pad site at which drilling has occurred during the 5-year period preceding the date of spudding the well.
“(3) Drilling a geothermal well within a developed field for which an approved land use plan or any environmental document prepared pursuant to NEPA analyzed the drilling as a reasonably foreseeable activity, on the condition that the land use plan or environmental document was approved during the 5-year period preceding the date of spudding the well.
“(4) Placement of a pipeline or transmission line in an approved right-of-way corridor, on the condition that the corridor was approved during the 5-year period preceding the date of placement of the pipeline or transmission line.
“(5) Maintenance of a minor activity, other than any construction or major renovation of a building or facility.
“(6) Conversion of an oil or gas well to a geothermal well.”