CLEAN Act Could Redraw the Geothermal Map

A proposed bill would mandate annual lease sales and 30-day permit reviews, but its real impact hinges on Congress and agency follow-through  

12 Feb 2026

A new bill moving through Washington has caught the attention of the US geothermal industry.

Lawmakers are advancing the CLEAN Act, a proposal that would require the Department of the Interior to hold geothermal lease sales every year instead of every two. It would also set firm timelines for federal permit reviews. The bill is not yet law, and its ultimate effect depends on congressional approval and how agencies carry it out.

For developers working on federally managed land, where much of the nation’s geothermal potential lies, timing is everything. Lease sales that arrive on an uneven schedule can stall exploration plans and complicate financing. An annual cadence could offer clearer signals for lining up capital, crews, and equipment. Whether that promise materializes will depend on the final policy details and the government’s ability to execute them.

The proposal goes further. Agencies would have 30 days to determine whether a permit application is complete and another 30 days to issue a decision. Supporters argue that defined windows could curb the drawn-out uncertainty that often shadows energy projects. Critics note that review timelines already vary widely based on project complexity and staffing levels. Meeting new statutory deadlines would likely require more administrative muscle, not just new rules.

The CLEAN Act is distinct from administrative guidance issued by the Interior Department or the Bureau of Land Management. Agencies can adjust procedures under existing law, but only Congress can require recurring lease sales or lock in binding deadlines. In other words, structural change requires legislative authority.

Industry groups such as Geothermal Rising have voiced support, framing the bill as a step toward leveling the playing field with other energy sectors. Developers like Fervo Energy and Eavor have pointed to permitting clarity as a key factor in attracting investment. Still, expectations of faster capital flows or lower risk remain speculative until the reforms are tested in practice.

For now, the sector waits. The CLEAN Act could mark a shift in how geothermal projects move from prospect to production. Or it could join a long list of proposals that reshaped debate more than policy.