Sec. 8. Program to improve Federal geothermal permit coordination
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In this section: The term Program means the Geothermal Energy Permitting Coordination Program established under subsection (b). The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Geothermal Energy Permitting Coordination Program , to improve Federal permit coordination and reduce regulatory timelines with respect to geothermal energy projects on Federal land by increasing the expertise of officials administering and approving permits.
To carry out the Program, the Secretary shall establish one or more Program offices at State or district offices of the Department of the Interior. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding for purposes of this section with— the Secretary of Agriculture; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary may request that the Governor of any State be a signatory to the memorandum of understanding under paragraph (1).
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the memorandum of understanding under subsection
(d)is executed, all Federal signatories, as appropriate, shall assign to each Program office established under subsection
(c)one or more employees who have expertise in the regulatory issues relating to the office or agency in which the employee is employed, including, as applicable, particular expertise in— consultation regarding, and preparation of, biological opinions under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1536 ); permits under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1344 ); regulatory matters under the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); planning under section 14 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 ( 16 U.S.C. 472a ); developing geothermal resources under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.); and the preparation of analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Each employee assigned under paragraph
(1)shall— not later than 90 days after the date on which the employee is assigned, report to the State Director of the Bureau of Land Management for the State in which the office to which the employee is assigned is located; be responsible for all issues relating to the jurisdiction of the home office or agency of the employee; and participate as part of the team of personnel working on proposed energy projects, planning, and environmental analyses. The Secretary shall assign to each Program office any additional personnel that are necessary to ensure the effective implementation of— the Program; and any program administered by the Program office, including inspection and enforcement relating to energy development on Federal land, in accordance with the multiple use mandate of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). To facilitate the coordination and processing of geothermal permits on Federal land under the administration of a Program office, the Secretary may authorize the expenditure or transfer of any funds that are necessary to— the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the Forest Service; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Corps of Engineers; the Department of Defense; or any State in which a geothermal project is located. Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes— the progress of the Program; and any problems relating to leasing, permitting, or siting with respect to geothermal energy development on Federal land. Nothing in this section affects— the operation of any Federal or State law; or any delegation of authority made by the head of a Federal agency any employee of which is participating in the Program.
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Sec. 8
Program to improve Federal geothermal permit coordination
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