PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.7422 / 118th Congress

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Official summary

Version 07 · Reported to House · Sep 12, 2024

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024

This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to give the Department of the Interior the authority to collect certain fees from holders of geothermal leases through September 30, 2031. Specifically, Interior may direct those leaseholders to reimburse the United States for costs from (1) processing applications for geothermal leases on federal land, such as applications for geothermal drilling permits; and (2) monitoring geothermal exploration and development activities, including reclamation activities. Interior may reduce the amount of the fee if it determines that (1) the full reimbursement would impose an economic hardship on the leaseholder, or (2) a less than full reimbursement is necessary to promote the greatest use of geothermal resources.

Interior must use those fees for processing applications for geothermal leases and monitoring related exploration and development activities. 

Within five years of the bill's enactment, Interior must submit to Congress a report that includes an assessment of how the fees affect Interior's geothermal leasing program and any recommendations for updates to the fees and the program. 

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14] · D–NY

Committees

  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  • Natural Resources Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    3. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5726-5727)

    4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5726-5727)

    5. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7422.

    6. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5726-5727)

    7. Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    8. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 566.

    9. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-670.

    10. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-670.

    11. Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.

    12. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

    13. Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged

    14. Subcommittee Hearings Held

    15. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

    16. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    17. Introduced in House

    18. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

    Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    Source last updated: Nov 6, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.7422 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.7422 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.7422 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.7422 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

    View full prompt & sources