Waives federal drilling permit requirement for geothermal activities on non-federal land under certain conditions.

The Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026, or HEATS Act, amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to waive the requirement for a federal drilling permit for geothermal exploration and production activities on non-federal land. This waiver applies if the United States holds less than a 50% ownership interest in the subsurface geothermal estate and the operator has a state permit. The act also exempts these activities from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Waives federal drilling permit requirement for geothermal activities on non-federal land under certain conditions.

The Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026, or HEATS Act, amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to waive the requirement for a federal drilling permit for geothermal exploration and production activities on non-federal land. This waiver applies if the United States holds less than a 50% ownership interest in the subsurface geothermal estate and the operator has a state permit. The act also exempts these activities from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.