S 4383 United States Senate · 119th Congress

Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act

This bill creates a new Geothermal Ombudsman and a Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management to improve how geothermal energy projects on public lands are approved. The Ombudsman will serve as a liaison between different BLM offices and project applicants, help resolve disputes, track permit processing times, and develop better practices for geothermal leasing. The Task Force, led by the Ombudsman, can temporarily assign specialized staff from other parts of the Department to assist with geothermal projects and may offer retention bonuses to keep experienced workers. The law also requires the Ombudsman to submit annual reports to Congress on the Task Force's activities and the effectiveness of geothermal permitting.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Apr 23, 2026 Last action Jul 15, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Jul 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
upper
Apr 23, 2026
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
upper
Apr 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors