House Passes Fulcher’s Bill to Bolster Geothermal Energy Production

 Subscribe For Newsletter Updates! $ About Biography Idaho’s First District Committee and Caucus Memberships Official Photos Contact Help with a Federal Agency Email Me Newsletter Sign-Up Request a Meeting Website Problem Legislation Issues Letters Newsroom Press Releases In the News Videos Services Commendations and Greetings Congressional App Challenge Congressional Art Competition Congressional Award Program Community Resources Flag Requests Help with a Federal Agency Internships Service Academy Nominations Tour Request Veterans History Project Veterans Resources Follow Follow Follow Follow House Passes Fulcher’s Bill to Bolster Geothermal Energy Production Home Press Releases House Passes Fulcher’s Bill to Bolster Geothermal Energy Production Jun 2, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher’s bill, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act, H.R. 1687, passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent . The legislation now heads to the Senate. Congressman Fulcher released the following statement after the vote. “Geothermal is a clean, abundant, and dependable energy resource that can help meet America’s rapidly rising power demands,” said Congressman Fulcher. “However, the lack of consistent geothermal lease sales and the slow federal permitting process result in timelines longer than many other energy projects. The bipartisan CLEAN Act will address these barriers and unlock opportunities to explore and develop this renewable energy source. I’m grateful to see my bill pass the House and urge the Senate’s swift consideration of this commonsense measure.” According to the Department of Energy, the United States leads the world in geothermal electricity-generating capacity—just over four gigawatts. That’s enough to power the equivalent of about three million U.S. homes. Background Idaho plays a leading role in geothermal energy production. The City of Boise is home to the nation’s first geothermal district heating system, established in 1892. The system supplies naturally heated water through over 20 miles of pipeline, heating more than six million square feet of building space, including the Idaho State Capitol—the only geothermally heated capitol building in the U.S. To begin developing geothermal on federally controlled lands—where approximately 90 percent of viable geothermal resources are located—projects must first obtain a lease, making consistent lease sales crucial to the expansion of this energy source. The CLEAN Act amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to: Require yearly lease sales for geothermal energy; Require the Secretary to hold replacement lease sales for any sales that are missed in a given calendar year. ### Office Locations Washington D.C. Office 1514 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-6611 Meridian Office 33 East Broadway Avenue, Suite 251 Meridian, ID 83642 Phone: (208) 888-3188 Fax: (208) 888-0894 Lewiston Office 313 D Street, Suite 107 Lewiston, ID 83501 Phone: (208) 743-1388 Coeur d’Alene Office 1250 West Ironwood Drive, Suite 200 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 Phone: (208) 667-0127 Fax: (208) 667-0310 Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | House.gov Follow Follow Follow Follow