HEATS Act
Summary
Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act or the HEATS Act
This bill exempts certain geothermal activities on state and private lands (except Indian lands) from drilling permit requirements as well as environmental and historic preservation review requirements.
First, the bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from requiring an operator to obtain a drilling permit under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 for any geothermal exploration and production activity conducted on a nonfederal surface estate (i.e., the part of the estate that is above ground) if (1) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50% of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action, and (2) the operator submits to Interior a state permit to conduct the geothermal exploration and production activity on the nonfederal surface estate.
Next, the bill states that such geothermal exploration and production activity is not considered a major federal action under National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thus, such activity does not trigger NEPA's environmental review requirements.
In addition, the bill exempts such activity from the consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It also exempts the activity from review under the National Historic Preservation Act unless the state in which the activity occurs does not have a state law that addresses the preservation of historic properties.
Floor Votes
Timeline
- Apr 28, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Apr 23, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Apr 23, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
- Apr 23, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
- Apr 23, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- Apr 23, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5587.
- Apr 23, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
- Apr 23, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1189. (consideration: CR H3073-3077)
- Apr 22, 2026Rule H. Res. 1189 passed House.
- Apr 20, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
- Apr 15, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 531.
- Apr 15, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
- Apr 15, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
- Mar 5, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
- Mar 5, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Mar 5, 2026Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
- Dec 16, 2025Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Dec 9, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- Sep 26, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sep 26, 2025Introduced in House
- Sep 26, 2025Introduced in House
Cosponsors
In the News
- Delegation for 4.28.26: Mapmakers — Navy drones — Take Back Day — WHCD — monkey trade - Florida Politics
- Starting Up the Reconciliation Machine - The Fulcrum
- The DeSaulnier Digest: Join Our May 5 Town Hall in Lafayette - Congressman Mark Desaulnier (.gov)
- HEATS Act To Streamline Geothermal Permitting Passes House - Legis1
- Press Release: Huffman and Ansari Oppose GOP Bill Allowing Corporations to Drill Beneath Private Property - Quiver Quantitative
- House Passes Energy Bill Weakening ESA Protections - Legis1
- Press Release: Julie Fedorchak Supports Geothermal Energy Bill to Streamline Permitting Process - Quiver Quantitative
- Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R. 5587 - Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026 - Quiver Quantitative
- Full Committee Markup | March 5, 2026 - House.gov
- New Daylight for Geothermal: How Federal Support and Bipartisan Permitting Reform Are Fueling a Geothermal Boom - Foley Hoag