A slate of bills that would speed up permitting processes for geothermal energy projects received overwhelming support at a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing Tuesday.
Bipartisan leaders of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee spoke in favor of nine measures intended to expand the use of geothermal energy. Witnesses from the Bureau of Land Management, industry and advocacy groups similarly voiced support for the legislation.
“Baseload geothermal power has incredible potential to help meet our growing energy needs,” said subcommittee Chair Pete Stauber (R-Minn.).
“Unfortunately, cumbersome leasing and permitting practices on federal lands have prolonged project timelines and increased costs for geothermal developers,” he said.
