S. 4795
Introduced in Senate · June 25, 2026June 16, 2026
Mr. Cotton (for himself and Ms. Cortez Masto) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
A BILL
To amend the Energy Act of 2020 to establish enforceable Federal authorization timelines and expedited judicial remedies, to limit Federal actions halting fully permitted projects, and for other purposes.
1. Short title; table of contents; 2. Findings; TITLE I—AMENDMENT TO ENERGY ACT OF 2020; 101. Amendment to Energy Act of 2020; TITLE II—MINING REGULATORY CLARITY; 201. Hardrock mining mill sites; TITLE III—GEOTHERMAL ENERGY ADVANCEMENT; 301. Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications relating to geothermal leasing; 302. Cost recovery from geothermal leasing, permitting, and inspections; 303. Publication of Gold Book for geothermal operations on Federal land; 304. Geothermal Ombudsman and Permitting Task Force; 305. Geothermal royalties; 306. NEPA review
Definitions
Notices of initiation; project schedules
Authorization deadlines
Reviewing court-approved contractors
Permitting Performance Fund
Effective date
Causes of action
Petition requirements
Review by reviewing courts
Expedited procedure; relief; appeals
Treatment of fully permitted projects
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,