Geothermal Gold Book Development Act

This Act may be cited as the “Geothermal Gold Book Development Act”.

(a) Identification.— Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with other relevant Federal agencies, shall identify standard procedures and guidelines for efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting to the extent such standard procedures and guidelines are not addressed in the fourth edition of the Bureau of Land Management’s “Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development”, commonly known as the “Gold Book” and last revised in 2007.

(b) Publication.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 270 days after identifying standard procedures and guidelines under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall publish an updated version of the Gold Book incorporating any changes necessary to support efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting for use by the field offices of the Bureau of Land Management and geothermal operators.

(2) Renaming Gold Book.— The Secretary of the Interior shall rename the Gold Book to reflect the incorporation of standard procedures and guidelines related to geothermal development.

(c) Consultation.— Before publishing an updated version of the Gold Book, the Secretary of the Interior shall consult with—

(1) other relevant Federal agencies, including field offices of the Bureau of Land Management; and

(2) outside stakeholders, including developers and other experts.

(d) Inclusions.— Each updated version of the Gold Book shall include standard procedures and guidelines for ensuring the efficient review and approval of environmentally responsible geothermal development, including—

(1) exploration and geophysical operations;

(2) permitting lease operations;

(3) compliance with all applicable laws and regulations;

(4) construction and maintenance; and

(5) drilling, production, and utilization operations.

(e) Periodic revision.— The Secretary of the Interior shall—

(1) at least once every five years, review the most recent version of the Gold Book; and

(2) if determined necessary by the Secretary of the Interior to support efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting, publish an updated version of the Gold Book.