Bill
S 4383
Creates an internal Geothermal Ombudsman and Task Force within BLM to streamline permitting, resolve disputes, and standardize geothermal project timelines on public lands.
Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act (S. 4383, 119th Congress)
Overview
- Purpose: Create an internal Geothermal Ombudsman within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to streamline and improve the permitting and deployment of geothermal energy projects on public lands. Establish a Geothermal Permitting Task Force to support the Ombudsman and coordinate cross-office efforts.
- Sponsors: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (lead) with Sen. Jim Risch as a co-sponsor. Introduced April 23, 2026.
Key definitions (Section 2)
- Geothermal authorization: Any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision by BLM (and related interagency steps) required to site, construct, reconstruct, or commence geothermal operations.
- Geothermal energy project: A project on public land that uses geothermal energy to generate heat or electricity.
- Public land: Lands subject to geothermal leasing under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.
- Secretary: Secretary of the Interior.
- Task Force: The Geothermal Permitting Task Force established under subsection (c).
Geothermal Ombudsman (Section 2(b))
- Appointment: Within 60 days after enactment, the Secretary must appoint a Geothermal Ombudsman from within BLM.
- Duties:
- Serve as a liaison among BLM field/district/State offices, the National Renewable Energy Coordination Office, and the BLM Director.
- Provide dispute resolution between BLM offices and applicants for geothermal authorizations.
- Monitor and facilitate permit processing practices and timelines across BLM field offices.
- Develop best practices for permitting and leasing of geothermal resources.
- Coordinate with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council.
Geothermal Permitting Task Force (Section 2(c))
- Establishment: Within 60 days after enactment, create a Geothermal Permitting Task Force within BLM.
- Leadership: Headed by the Geothermal Ombudsman; supports the Ombudsman’s duties.
- Cross-office personnel assignments:
- The Task Force may coordinate with other Department of the Interior bureaus/offices to assign personnel to assist with geothermal authorizations, even if located outside the official duty station.
- Assignments must not materially delay ongoing authorizations in the host office, and require approval from the official duty station head.
- Assigned personnel:
- Must work in-person full-time at the assigned BLM/other office.
- May need to travel to relevant BLM field/district/state offices.
- Must be integrated with the team working on the geothermal authorization.
- Must regularly report to the head of the relevant BLM office.
- Retention allowances:
- A retention allowance (up to 25% of the employee’s basic pay, not part of basic pay) available, subject to appropriations.
- Payments occur with the same timing as regular pay.
- Considerations for retention: specialized geothermal expertise, need to meet performance objectives for faster permit timelines, and recruitment/replacement challenges.
- Savings clause: Cross-office assignments do not change the existing jurisdiction of other BLM offices over geothermal authorizations.
Reporting (Section 2(d))
- The Geothermal Ombudsman must submit an annual report to:
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- House Committee on Natural Resources
- The report should describe Task Force activities and evaluate the effectiveness of geothermal permit processing during the prior year.
Impact and scope
- administrative change within BLM to centralize and improve geothermal permitting coordination.
- Enhanced dispute resolution and clearer timelines for geothermal authorizations.
- Potentially faster permitting through standardized best practices and cross-office staffing support.
- Additional authority to offer retention incentives to critical personnel to maintain expertise and meet permit timelines.
- No direct changes to geothermal law or leasing authority; rather, internal process enhancements and reporting requirements.
Timeline notes
- Effective implementation contingent on enactment; key actions occur within 60 days of enactment (appointment of Ombudsman and establishment of Task Force). Ongoing duties include annual reporting.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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