Geothermal growth and DMRE permitting noted; NAC 5.34a rulemaking nearing second hearing

Dustin Holcomb, Fluid Minerals Manager, updated commissioners Feb. 19 on geothermal, dissolved-mineral exploration and oil-and-gas activity. He said Nevada operators produced roughly 6.8 million megawatt-hours in 2024 (about 785 MW average), that recent federal geothermal lease sales generated roughly $9.4 million, and that geothermal permit and well counts rose sharply in the last year (61 permits, 41 wells for geothermal in 2024). Holcomb noted operators have used dissolved mineral resource exploration permits for geothermal-adjacent work but said recent federal executive actions speeding NEPA review may reduce that practice.

On lithium and dissolved mineral resource exploration, Holcomb noted market dynamics: brine-targeted activity has slowed since 2022’s price peak, but interest persists and the division has seen operators pump and test wells. He summarized oil production trends (2024 ~177,000 barrels; down from prior years) and noted the Forlan refinery remains offline undergoing improvements and a land-transfer/NEPA process that affects local refining capacity.

Holcomb described the NAC 5.34a rulemaking (geothermal stimulation): public workshop held Aug. 26, 2025; initial draft submitted to LCB Nov. 18; two rounds of LCB questions answered and staff now awaiting final LCB comments before scheduling a second public hearing and then possible submission to the Legislative Commission for codification. He reminded commissioners of the June 30 deadline for rules to be codified within the calendar year and said staff hope to bring materials back by the next meeting.