H.R. 6474: To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas.

This bill expedites the environmental review of certain geothermal energy activities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Specifically, the bill modifies the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to allow a categorical exclusion under NEPA for drilling a geothermal well (1) in an area where drilling has occurred previously within the five years prior to the date when drilling begins; or (2) within a developed field for which an approved land use plan or environmental document prepared under NEPA determined drilling to be a reasonably foreseeable activity, so long as the plan or document was approved within the five years prior to the date when drilling begins.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.