The House is poised to approve bipartisan legislation this week aimed at easing permitting rules for developing geothermal energy, a renewable power source lauded by Republicans and Democrats alike — as well as the Trump administration.
The package will include a mix of Republican-led and Democratic-authored bills that were approved by the House Natural Resources Committee in March via unanimous consent. They are being compiled together as the “Geothermal Energy Advancement Act,” H.R. 5631, from Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.).
The House is expecting to take up the package under suspension of the rules, a process to fast-track proposals with broad support. Bills need a two-thirds majority to pass under suspension.
“Geothermal is a very promising clean energy resource and should be strongly bipartisan,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee, told POLITICO.
