A House Natural Resources subcommittee heard bipartisan testimony supporting nine bills intended to streamline geothermal leasing and permitting on federal lands, with BLM and industry witnesses endorsing deadlines, categorical exclusions for limited exploration, an ombudsman and a 'gold book' of best practices; no votes were taken.

Division staff reported strong geothermal activity in 2024 (about 6.8 million MWh produced), growing federal lease revenues and heightened permitting; rulemaking on NAC 5.34a (stimulation activity) is pending final LCB comment before an additional public hearing.