HEATS Act
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Sep 26, 2025)
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.
What just happenedApr 28, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Who’s behind it
- Referred in SenateApr 28, 2026
- Engrossed in HouseApr 23, 2026
- Reported in HouseApr 15, 2026
- Introduced in HouseSep 26, 2025
- Apr 28, 2026IntroReferral
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Apr 23, 2026FloorH38310
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Apr 23, 2026FloorH37100
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
- Apr 23, 2026Floor8000
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
- Apr 23, 2026FloorH35000
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- Apr 23, 2026FloorH8D000
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5587.
- Apr 23, 2026FloorH8D000
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 23, 2026FloorH30000
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1189. (consideration: CR H3073-3077)
- Apr 22, 2026FloorH1L220
Rule H. Res. 1189 passed House.
- Apr 20, 2026FloorH1L210
Rules 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, 2026CalendarsH12410
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 531.
- Apr 15, 2026CommitteeH12200
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
- Apr 15, 2026Committee5000
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
- Mar 5, 2026Committee
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
- Mar 5, 2026Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Mar 5, 2026Committee
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
- Dec 16, 2025Committee
Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Dec 9, 2025Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- Sep 26, 2025IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sep 26, 2025IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Sep 26, 2025IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House