H.R. 7370 — what changed

Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1003) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(h) Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing

changed “(1) Requirement to process applications—Notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil action that affects an application for a geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or any other authorization or approval under a valid existing geothermal lease, the Secretary shall, unless a United States Federal court vacated vacates or provides injunctive relief for the applicable geothermal lease, process geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization, approve and issue, or deny, each such application not later than 30 60 days after completing all environmental documents required requirements under section 102(2)(C) of applicable Federal laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) for 1969, the authorization or approval.Endangered Species Act of 1973, and division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code.

changed “(2) No new authority for Federal courts—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as providing modifying any existing authority to of a Federal court to vacate or provide injunctive relief for a geothermal lease.”lease, geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization.

added “(3) Definition of authorization—In this subsection, the term authorization means any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision issued by a Federal agency, or any interagency consultation, that is required or authorized under Federal law or regulations in order to site, construct, reconstruct, or commence operations of a geothermal project administered by a Federal agency.”