H.R. 7422 — what changed

Section 6 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1005) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(j) Cost recovery

changed “(1) In general—During the period that begins on the date of enactment of this subsection and ends September 30, 2031, the Secretary may require an applicant for, or a holder of of, a geothermal lease to reimburse the United States for all reasonable administrative and other costs incurred by the United States from—

“(A) processing the application for the geothermal lease, including any application for an operations plan, geothermal drilling permit, utilization plan, site license, facility construction permit, commercial use permit, and any other approval associated with a geothermal lease; and

changed “(B) inspecting and monitoring—

changed “(i) geophysical exploration operations;activities;

“(ii) the drilling, plugging, and abandonment of wells; and

“(iii) the construction, operation, termination, and reclamation of any well site or facility for the utilization of geothermal resources pursuant to the geothermal lease.

changed “(2) Considerations—In determining whether to require reimbursement under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider whether there is in existence a contributed funds cooperative cost share agreement between the United States and the holder of a geothermal lease.

“(3) Adjustments—The Secretary may reduce the amount to be reimbursed under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines—

changed “(A) that full reimbursement would impose an economic hardship on the holder of the geothermal lease; applicant; or

“(B) that a less than full reimbursement is necessary to promote the greatest use of geothermal resources.

changed “(4) Use—The amounts reimbursed under this subsection shall be available credited to the Secretary currently applicable appropriation, account, or fund of the Department of the Interior for expenditure as discretionary offsetting collections, and shall be available only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts for—

changed “(A) processing the application for the geothermal lease, leases, including any application for an operations plan, plans, geothermal drilling permit, permits, utilization plan, plans, site license, licenses, facility construction permit, permits, commercial use permit, permits, and any other approval associated with a geothermal lease; leases; and

changed “(B) inspecting and monitoring—

changed “(i) geophysical exploration operations;activities;

“(ii) the drilling, plugging, and abandonment of wells; and

changed “(iii) the construction, operation, termination, and reclamation of any well site or facility for the utilization of geothermal resources pursuant to the geothermal lease.”leases.”