Press Releases

Today, Congresswomen Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Susie Lee (NV-03) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms (STEAM) Act to expedite geothermal exploration and development. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced companion legislation the Senate.

The bipartisan bill cuts government red tape by giving geothermal projects the same flexibility to explore and develop on previously disturbed or studied public lands that the oil and gas industry has had for nearly two decades. That means clean energy projects will be on a more level playing field while creating jobs, cutting emissions, and reducing foreign energy dependence.

“Utah’s second district has some of the most abundant geothermal resources in the world,” said Congresswoman Celeste Maloy. “Unfortunately, bureaucratic red tape and inefficiency makes developing geothermal resources risky. The STEAM Act will clear the way for Utah to produce more energy and create more jobs.”

“Nevada has incredible energy potential and geothermal energy is a key piece of that,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Yet, red tape has prevented us from fully unleashing its potential. This bipartisan bill will cut red tape, help strengthen U.S. energy independence, and lower costs.”

“Unleashing the full potential of clean, reliable, baseload geothermal will help to bolster our energy independence and power our communities. The STEAM Act takes a step forward to remove unnecessary hurdles for geothermal exploration and cuts through the red tape slowing down deployment of geothermal technologies,” said Senator Murkowski. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for this legislation to help boost geothermal as a source of domestic energy.” 

The STEAM Act is endorsed by stakeholders including ClearPath Action, Eavor, Fervo Energy, Geothermal Rising, and Institute for Progress (IFP).

“In 2005, the U.S. faced an energy crisis and rightly granted oil and gas a categorical exclusion to produce more energy to meet demand. As the U.S. faces new challenges to meet rising demand, this bill helps achieve parity for 24/7, clean, reliable geothermal power. This legislation is important in unlocking American geothermal energy to support our economy and the environment,” said Jeremy Harrell, CEO, ClearPath Action.

“The STEAM Act is an important step in advancing geothermal energy exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas. By ensuring geothermal exploration can move forward as efficiently and responsibly as other energy resources, this bill paves the way for the expansion of a proven, clean, and reliable energy solution. We’re encouraged by continued bipartisan action that prioritizes domestic geothermal applications as a key part of our future energy portfolio,” said Jeanine Vany, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Eavor.

“The bipartisan STEAM Act would extend permitting parity across oil, gas, and geothermal for American generation projects. The permitting improvements from the STEAM Act have been tested and perfected for two decades now — and banks, operators, and agencies know how they work. This will help geothermal projects advance more quickly and at reasonable costs with financing and drilling. Fervo applauds Representatives Celeste Maloy and Susie Lee and Senators Lisa Murkowski and Catherine Cortez Masto for their hard work to advance this source of clean, firm energy to power America,” said Ben Serrurier, Senior Manager of Government Affairs & Policy, Fervo Energy.

“We are grateful for geothermal champions Representatives Maloy and Lee as well as Senators Murkowski and Cortez Masto. The geothermal industry is thrilled that the new Congress is moving so quickly to pass legislation that will support the development, deployment, and innovation of technologies and applications from geothermal resources,” said Dr. Bryant Jones, Executive Director, Geothermal Rising.

“Geothermal energy is a vital source of clean, firm power and a key frontier in American energy innovation. But current permitting rules slow deployment and innovation. IFP is proud to endorse the bipartisan STEAM Act, which gives geothermal the same streamlined process that has been successfully applied to oil and gas,” said Alec Stapp, Co-CEO, Institute for Progress (IFP).

You can read more about the STEAM Act here.