Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act
Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act would create a formal, single-point leader within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to help speed and improve geothermal permitting on public lands. The bill appoints a Geothermal Ombudsman to coordinate among BLM offices, resolve disputes with applicants, monitor permit processing timelines, develop best practices, and work with a federal-wide permitting council. It also establishes a Geothermal Permitting Task Force within BLM, headed by the Ombudsman, to bolster staffing and cross-office support by temporarily assigning personnel from other federal offices to assist with geothermal authorizations. The act requires a steady appointment within 60 days of enactment and annual reporting to Congress on the Task Force’s activities and permit processing effectiveness. Overall, the bill aims to streamline geothermal project approvals on public land and improve consistency and transparency in the permitting process.
Key Points
- 1Geothermal Ombudsman role created within BLM: A new official to act as a liaison, resolve disputes with applicants, monitor permit processing timelines, develop best practices, and coordinate with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council.
- 2Geothermal Permitting Task Force: A dedicated team within BLM led by the Ombudsman to support permitting efforts, including cross-office, temporary personnel assignments from other Department of the Interior bureaus to assist with geothermal authorizations.
- 3Rapid appointment and authority: The Ombudsman must be appointed within 60 days after enactment; the Task Force must be established within 60 days as well.
- 4Cross-office assignments: Allowing qualified personnel from other bureaus to assist with geothermal authorizations at BLM field/district/state offices, with conditions to avoid delaying ongoing work and with required approvals from the employee’s home office.
- 5Retention allowances: Eligible assigned personnel may receive a retention allowance up to 25% of their base pay to attract and retain qualified staff, with specific rules about eligibility, payment, and non-appealability.
- 6Reporting requirements: The Ombudsman must submit an annual report to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources detailing Task Force activities and the effectiveness of geothermal permit processing over the previous year.
- 7Definitions: Clarifies terms like “geothermal authorization,” “geothermal energy project,” and “public land” to ensure scope covers licenses, permits, and interagency consultations needed to site or operate geothermal projects on public lands.