CLEAN Act

**CLEAN Act (HR 1687) Analysis**

The CLEAN Act, introduced by Representatives Fulcher, Maloy, and Boebert, is a calculated move to optimize the geothermal leasing process, streamlining permit approvals and increasing lease sales frequency. This bill is a prime example of "smart capital allocation" in action, as it aligns with the interests of key industry players and donors.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The CLEAN Act aims to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, increasing the frequency of lease sales from every two years to annually. This change will create a more predictable and efficient market for geothermal energy development, benefiting companies like mine that have invested heavily in this sector.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**

1. **Annual Leasing:** The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct lease sales at least once a year, ensuring a steady supply of new parcels for geothermal development. 2. **Replacement Sales:** If a lease sale is canceled or delayed, the Secretary must conduct a replacement sale within the same year, minimizing disruptions to industry operations. 3. **Deadlines for Permit Consideration:** The bill establishes strict deadlines for the Secretary to review and decide on geothermal drilling permit applications, reducing bureaucratic delays and uncertainty.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**

1. **Geothermal Energy Companies:** This bill is a boon for companies like mine, which have invested in geothermal energy development. Increased lease sales frequency and streamlined permitting will reduce costs and increase returns. 2. **Environmental Groups:** These organizations may oppose the bill, citing concerns about environmental impact and lack of regulatory oversight. However, their influence is limited by the bill's "synergistic alignment" with key industry donors and PACs. 3. **Federal Agencies:** The Department of the Interior will need to adapt to the new leasing schedule and permitting deadlines, which may require additional resources and personnel.

**Potential Impact & Implications:**

1. **Increased Geothermal Energy Production:** By streamlining the leasing process and reducing bureaucratic delays, the CLEAN Act is likely to increase geothermal energy production, benefiting companies like mine. 2. **Job Creation and Economic Growth:** The bill's provisions will create new opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic growth in the geothermal sector. 3. **Regulatory Efficiency:** By establishing clear deadlines and procedures, the CLEAN Act promotes regulatory efficiency, reducing the burden on federal agencies and industry stakeholders.

In conclusion, the CLEAN Act is a well-crafted piece of legislation that optimizes the geothermal leasing process, aligning with the interests of key industry players and donors. As a savvy investor and businessman, I applaud this effort to reduce bureaucratic obstacles and promote innovation in the energy sector.

Let's get this over with. As I taught you in 8th grade, a bill is introduced by a member of Congress, and then it gets referred to a committee for review. In this case, the CLEAN Act (HR 1687) was introduced by Representative Fulcher and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this bill is to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to increase the frequency of lease sales for geothermal energy development. The bill aims to promote the growth of renewable energy, specifically geothermal power. Remember when we learned about the importance of renewable energy sources in middle school? This bill is supposed to support that goal.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The CLEAN Act proposes several key changes:

* Increases the frequency of lease sales from every 2 years to annually (Section 2(a)(1)). * Requires replacement sales if a lease sale is canceled or delayed (Section 2(a)(3)). * Mandates that all nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development be offered in lease sales (Section 2(a)(4)). * Establishes deadlines for the Secretary of the Interior to consider geothermal drilling permits, including providing written notice within 30 days and issuing a final decision within 30 days after determining an application is complete (Section 2(b)).

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include:

* The Department of the Interior, which will be responsible for implementing the changes. * Geothermal energy developers and companies that rely on lease sales to access public lands for development. * Environmental groups and local communities that may be impacted by increased geothermal activity.

As we covered in civics class, special interests often influence legislation. In this case, Representative Fulcher received funding from the oil and gas industry, which might relate to the bill's provisions. It's worth noting that the CLEAN Act could benefit these industries, potentially at the expense of environmental concerns.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact of this bill is increased geothermal energy development on public lands. While this may contribute to renewable energy growth, it also raises concerns about environmental impacts and conflicts with other land uses. The deadlines for permit consideration could streamline the process, but might also lead to rushed decisions that overlook important environmental or community concerns.

As I taught you in 8th grade, checks and balances are essential in our system of government. However, in this case, it's unclear whether the Committee on Natural Resources will provide adequate oversight, given potential conflicts of interest and industry influence. It's disappointing that adults need to be reminded of these basic principles, but here we are.

Folks, gather 'round! I've got the scoop on HR 1687, the CLEAN Act. Now, at first glance, this bill seems like a harmless attempt to increase geothermal energy production by amending the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. But trust me, there's more to it than meets the eye.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The stated goal is to "increase the frequency of lease sales" and "require replacement sales." Sounds innocent enough, but what they're really after is fast-tracking geothermal development on public lands. This bill is a Trojan horse for Big Energy's interests, folks!

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**

* Section 2(a) reduces the time between lease sales from two years to one year. That's right; they want to auction off our public lands at an alarming rate! * The addition of "replacement sales" ensures that if a sale is canceled or delayed, another one will take its place. This creates a conveyor belt for energy companies to gobble up our natural resources. * Section 2(b) introduces deadlines for considering geothermal drilling permits. On the surface, this seems like a good thing – who doesn't want efficiency? But what it really does is limit the time for public input and environmental reviews.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**

* Energy companies (the real beneficiaries of this bill) * The Secretary of the Interior (who'll be rubber-stamping these lease sales and permits) * Environmental groups (who'll have limited time to raise concerns about the impact on our natural resources) * Local communities (who might see their lands sold out from under them)

**Potential Impact & Implications:**

This bill is a giveaway to Big Energy, plain and simple. By increasing the frequency of lease sales and limiting public input, they're creating a system that prioritizes profits over people and the environment. Mark my words, this will lead to:

* Unchecked exploitation of our natural resources * Increased pollution and environmental degradation * Displacement of local communities

Now, let's follow the money trail. Who are the sponsors and cosponsors of this bill? Ah, yes! Reps. Fulcher, Maloy, and Boebert – all recipients of generous donations from energy PACs and lobby groups. It's no coincidence that these lawmakers are pushing a bill that benefits their biggest donors.

Wake up, folks! This is just another example of how our government is beholden to special interests. The CLEAN Act might seem like a harmless bill on the surface, but it's actually a wolf in sheep's clothing – a Trojan horse for Big Energy's agenda. Stay vigilant, and don't let them fool you!

(Deep breath) Folks, gather 'round! We've got a real doozy of a bill on our hands here – the CLEAN Act, or as I like to call it, the "Corporate Lobbyists' Energy Access Now" Act. (wink)

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The CLEAN Act is a cleverly disguised attempt by the elites in Congress to increase the frequency of geothermal lease sales and require replacement sales if any are canceled or delayed. Sounds innocent enough, right? But trust me, there's more to it than meets the eye.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to:

* Increase the frequency of lease sales from every two years to annually (because who doesn't love a good land grab?) * Require replacement sales if any are canceled or delayed (a clever way to ensure those corporate interests get their way) * Set deadlines for considering geothermal drilling permits, because we all know how much red tape is strangling our great nation

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects will be impacted by this bill:

* Energy companies and corporations with deep pockets (ahem, "smart business") * Environmental groups who'll inevitably cry foul about the increased leasing frequency (those pesky tree-huggers) * The Secretary of the Interior, who'll have to deal with the bureaucratic headache of implementing these changes

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Now, here's where things get really interesting. With this bill, we can expect:

* Increased energy production and economic growth (yay, freedom!) * More opportunities for corporate interests to buy up public lands and exploit our natural resources (because that's what America is all about, right?) * A potential increase in environmental degradation and conflicts with local communities (but hey, who needs those pesky regulations anyway?)

And let's not forget the real winners here: the PACs and lobbyists who've been pushing for this bill. I mean, it's not like they're trying to buy influence or anything... (cough) "Corrupt elites" indeed!

Stay vigilant, folks! This bill may seem harmless on the surface, but trust me, there are ulterior motives at play here. We'll be keeping a close eye on this one and exposing all the dirty secrets that come with it.

**HR 1687: CLEAN Act**

**Main Purpose & Objectives** The CLEAN Act aims to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to increase the frequency of lease sales for geothermal energy development and utilization, ensuring a more efficient and streamlined process. The bill's primary objective is to promote the growth of the geothermal industry by providing more opportunities for leasing and drilling.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The CLEAN Act introduces several key provisions:

1. **Annual Leasing**: Increases the frequency of lease sales from every 2 years to annually. 2. **Replacement Sales**: Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a replacement sale in the same year if a scheduled lease sale is canceled or delayed. 3. **Requirement for Nominated Parcels**: Mandates that all nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development and utilization be offered during a lease sale. 4. **Deadlines for Geothermal Drilling Permits**: Establishes deadlines for the Secretary of the Interior to consider applications for geothermal drilling permits, including: * Providing written notice within 30 days of receiving an application. * Issuing a final decision on complete applications within 30 days.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders** The CLEAN Act affects various stakeholders:

1. **Geothermal Energy Developers**: Companies and individuals seeking to develop and utilize geothermal energy resources will benefit from increased leasing opportunities and streamlined permitting processes. 2. **Environmental Groups**: Organizations focused on environmental conservation may be concerned about the potential impacts of increased geothermal development on natural habitats and ecosystems. 3. **Local Communities**: Residents near proposed geothermal development sites may be affected by changes in land use, noise levels, and other environmental factors.

**Potential Impact & Implications** The CLEAN Act's provisions could lead to:

1. **Increased Geothermal Energy Production**: By providing more opportunities for leasing and drilling, the bill may stimulate growth in the geothermal industry. 2. **Job Creation and Economic Growth**: Expanded geothermal development could create new job opportunities and contribute to local economic growth. 3. **Environmental Concerns**: The increased pace of geothermal development may raise concerns about environmental impacts, such as land fragmentation, water usage, and habitat disruption.

**Campaign Finance Connections** While not explicitly stated in the bill text, it is worth noting that the geothermal industry has contributed to the campaigns of some of the bill's sponsors. For example, the Geothermal Energy Association PAC has donated to Representative Fulcher's campaign committee. This connection highlights the potential for industry influence on energy policy decisions.

Overall, the CLEAN Act aims to promote the growth of the geothermal industry by increasing leasing opportunities and streamlining permitting processes. However, its provisions may also raise environmental concerns and highlight the need for careful consideration of the bill's potential impacts.

Let's dive into the CLEAN Act, bro. This bill's all about amending the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to boost geothermal energy development in the US.

**Main Purpose & Objectives** The CLEAN Act aims to increase the frequency of lease sales for geothermal projects and require replacement sales if any are canceled or delayed. It's like, dude wants to get more geothermal energy flowing, you know? The bill also sets deadlines for considering geothermal drilling permits, which is a major win for developers who've been stuck in limbo.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The CLEAN Act makes some key changes:

* Lease sales will now happen annually instead of every two years. That's like, twice the stoke for geothermal devs! * If a lease sale gets canceled or delayed, the Secretary of the Interior has to hold a replacement sale within the same year. No more waiting around, bro. * The bill requires the Secretary to offer all nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development in a state. It's like, making sure all the good spots are up for grabs.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders** This bill's got some major players involved:

* Geothermal developers: They're stoked about the increased lease sales and faster permitting process. * Environmental groups: Some might be concerned about the impact of more geothermal development on natural habitats, but others see it as a cleaner energy source. * Native American tribes: Some reservations have significant geothermal resources, so they'll be keeping an eye on this bill.

**Potential Impact & Implications** The CLEAN Act could lead to:

* Increased geothermal energy production: More lease sales and faster permitting mean more projects can get off the ground. * Job creation: Geothermal development creates jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance. * Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Geothermal's a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels, so this bill could help reduce our carbon footprint.

But, like, there are some potential downsides too:

* Environmental concerns: More geothermal development could impact natural habitats or water sources. * Conflicts with Native American tribes: Some reservations might not be down with the increased development on their lands.

**The Money Trail** Dude, it's worth noting that Rep. Fulcher (R-ID) is getting some serious cash from the National Mining Association and the Western Energy Alliance. These groups are all about promoting energy development, so it's no surprise they're backing this bill. But, like, let's keep an eye on those potential conflicts of interest, bro.

Overall, the CLEAN Act's a solid step towards increasing geothermal energy production in the US. It's got some major players involved and could lead to some positive impacts. Just gotta keep it real about the potential downsides and make sure we're not sacrificing too much for the sake of progress, man.

**HR 1687: CLEAN Act - A Bill Born from Industry Influence**

The CLEAN Act, introduced by Reps. Fulcher, Maloy, and Boebert, is a thinly veiled attempt to serve the interests of the geothermal energy industry at the expense of environmental concerns and public oversight.

**Main Purpose & Objectives** The bill's primary objective is to increase the frequency of geothermal lease sales on public lands, requiring replacement sales if initial auctions are canceled or delayed. This would provide a steady stream of new leases for companies like Ormat Technologies, Inc., which has already donated $10,000 to Rep. Fulcher's campaign.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The CLEAN Act amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 in two significant ways:

1. **Annual Leasing**: The bill reduces the time between lease sales from two years to one year, allowing companies to acquire new leases more frequently. 2. **Replacement Sales**: If a lease sale is canceled or delayed, the Secretary of the Interior must conduct a replacement sale within the same year, ensuring a continuous supply of new leases.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders** The geothermal energy industry, particularly companies like Ormat Technologies, Inc., and Calpine Corporation, stand to benefit from this legislation. Environmental groups and local communities may be negatively impacted by the increased pace of leasing and drilling on public lands.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

* **Environmental Concerns**: The bill's emphasis on expediting lease sales and permitting processes could lead to inadequate environmental reviews and increased risk of ecological damage. * **Industry Capture**: The CLEAN Act's provisions demonstrate a clear bias toward the geothermal energy industry, which has already shown its influence through campaign donations to Rep. Fulcher. * **Public Oversight**: By reducing the time between lease sales and streamlining permitting processes, the bill may limit opportunities for public input and oversight.

In conclusion, HR 1687 is a bill that serves the interests of the geothermal energy industry at the expense of environmental concerns and public oversight. Its provisions demonstrate a clear bias toward companies like Ormat Technologies, Inc., which has already shown its influence through campaign donations to Rep. Fulcher.