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Arizona lawmaker opposes HEATS Act, urges permitting reforms for geothermal development
Summary
A representative from Arizona told the House that while she supports geothermal energy, she opposes H.R. 5587 (the HEATS Act), saying the bill would waive federal environmental reviews and leave surface landowners and communities without adequate protections; she promoted an alternative package including her "Geothermal Gold Book Development Act."
A representative from Arizona spoke on the House floor to oppose H.R. 5587, known as the HEATS Act, saying the measure would improperly waive federal reviews that protect landowners, wildlife and historic sites while offering too little in safeguards.
"I have to oppose H.R. 5587," the representative said, adding that she is "a strong supporter of geothermal energy" but called the bill "an irresponsible waiver of the federal government's obligation to steward our federal resources." She described geothermal as "a clean, reliable, affordable and abundant form of electricity" and urged lawmakers to pursue permitting reforms that do not sidestep federal environmental laws.
The speaker summarized the bill's central provision as allowing projects that begin on private or state land and later drill beneath federal subsurface to…
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