WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of the Interior has launched new emergency permitting procedures to speed up the review and approval of geothermal energy projects considered essential to U.S. national security and energy independence. The announcement, made Friday, aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency on January 20, 2025, underscoring the administration’s focus on enhancing American Energy Dominance.
The newly introduced measures aim to streamline environmental reviews, accelerating the development of geothermal initiatives while maintaining environmental protections. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the dual significance of these projects for national security and domestic energy resilience.
“Geothermal energy is a reliable energy source that can power critical infrastructure for national security and help advance energy independence,” stated Secretary Burgum. “By cutting red tape and advancing President Trump’s American Energy Dominance agenda, we’re fast-tracking reliable energy projects while strengthening national security and supporting American workers.”
Strategic Geothermal Projects in Focus
Three advanced geothermal energy projects in Nevada, spearheaded by Ormat Nevada, Inc., will be among the first to benefit from the Department’s expedited permitting process. These projects are strategically significant, both for their contribution to domestic energy infrastructure and alignment with national security goals.
- Diamond Flat Geothermal Project (Fallon, Nevada) – This initiative involves drilling test wells and conducting geothermal resource confirmation activities on federally leased land. The data collected will determine the commercial viability of the geothermal reservoir.
- McGinness Hills Geothermal Optimization Project (Lander County, Nevada) – The project includes efficiency upgrades to three operational geothermal power plants. Enhancements such as new wells, advanced heat exchangers, expanded cooling systems, and a 15-megawatt solar field aim to increase output beyond the current 193 megawatts.
- Pinto Geothermal Project (Denio, Nevada) – Ormat is conducting exploratory activities, including test drilling, to evaluate geothermal potential on federally leased lands.
These projects represent critical steps toward a more robust domestic energy portfolio, with the Department prioritizing developments that benefit both national defense and domestic grid resilience. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a key agency managing geothermal resources on federal lands, is conducting environmental assessments for these initiatives. Under the emergency procedures, these reviews will occur within a compressed 14-day timeline.
Streamlining Oversight and Balancing Land Use
The BLM’s role in overseeing geothermal development entails leasing federal lands to companies, facilitating environmental reviews, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The agency also balances geothermal operations with other land uses and administers royalties associated with energy production.
To expedite the permitting process, the Department is utilizing emergency powers provided under the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and the Endangered Species Act. These streamlined procedures are designed to both accelerate project timelines and uphold standards of environmental stewardship.
A Coordinated Effort
By prioritizing geothermal energy, the Department of the Interior is demonstrating a commitment to balancing rapid energy development with responsible management of public resources. The projects in Nevada serve as a model for future initiatives, showcasing how energy policies can address both immediate national security concerns and long-term goals for sustainability.
This decisive action facilitates the rapid deployment of a dependable, clean energy source while advancing the administration’s broader energy independence strategy. With environmental assessments already underway, the Bureau of Land Management is positioned to determine the viability of Ormat’s projects in the coming weeks.
For additional guidance, the Department has advised interested developers to contact their respective BLM field or district offices to explore eligibility under the emergency permitting program.
The Department’s swift response illustrates a clear focus on modernizing energy infrastructure to support national priorities, ensuring the United States remains equipped to meet evolving energy and security demands.
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