The House of Representatives passes a bill to boost geothermal energy production by increasing the frequency of lease sales

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has passed legislation in the House of Representatives to boost geothermal energy production by increasing the pace of lease sales.

The CLEAN for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday and would amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to require the Department of the Interior (DOI) to conduct lease sales every year, instead of every two years.

Additionally, the bill seeks to expedite the process of obtaining a permit for rental sales by establishing a 30-day deadline for the DOI to notify the applicant if the permit is approved.

The bill also requires that the DOI maintain a replacement sale in the event that a lease is canceled or missed.

Leave the oil to me: Trump vows to unleash American energy and roll back Biden’s key bases in second term

Heat exchangers for a dual geothermal system at the Blundell Geothermal Plant in Utah. (John J. Fuller/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Democrats who oppose the bill claimed that the 30-day deadline to approve leases did not give the Interior Department enough time to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the projects.

The Biden administration applauds a job well done in replenishing oil reserves despite being depleted by half over the past four years

The bill was approved on a bipartisan vote, receiving support from 213 Republicans and 31 Democrats.

Rep. Ross Fulcher, R-Idaho, leaves a House Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol Hill Club. (Bill Clark)

“Geothermal energy has tremendous potential to provide reliable, clean energy to millions of Americans,” Rep. Ross Fulcher, R-Idaho, who introduced the bill, said in a statement.

“Because nearly 90% of our nation’s geothermal resources are located on federally managed lands, I have introduced the CLEAN Act to unleash these critical resources by reducing red tape and increasing leasing opportunities on federal lands. This legislation will hold the Department of the Interior accountable and It is essential to boost domestic energy production, reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries, and meet America’s growing energy demand.

The Western Assembly also praised the approval of the draft law.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Geothermal energy is an important component of our above-mentioned energy strategy,” said Western Caucus Chairman Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash. “I was very pleased to see the CLEAN Act passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives earlier today to help unlock the full potential of geothermal energy and boost energy production on federal lands across the West. I applaud Congressman Fulcher’s leadership and work on this important issue.”