Author: PPD Team Date: 02/06/2025
The U.S. Department of the Interior has activated emergency permitting procedures to accelerate geothermal energy projects considered essential for national security and energy reliability. This action follows the national energy emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump on January 20, 2025.
The new process reduces environmental review timelines while maintaining safeguards under key federal laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Endangered Species Act. The goal is to expedite the deployment of reliable energy without compromising environmental standards.
Ormat Nevada, Inc. will lead the initial set of projects eligible under these fast-tracked reviews:
Diamond Flat Project (near Fallon, Nevada):
Ormat will conduct test drilling and resource confirmation on federally leased land to assess commercial potential.
McGinness Hills Optimization (Lander County, Nevada):
Plans include upgrading three operational plants by adding new wells, heat exchangers, and cooling fans. A 15 MW solar PV field will also be installed to boost total output beyond the current 193 MW.
Pinto Project (near Denio, Nevada):
Exploratory drilling and assessment activities will be undertaken to evaluate geothermal viability on public lands.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will carry out environmental assessments within 14 days to determine project readiness. As the federal agency overseeing geothermal development, BLM manages leasing, permitting, compliance, and royalty collection while balancing land use and environmental considerations.
Interior has also released guidance and FAQs to assist developers seeking emergency permitting. Project proponents are advised to coordinate with their regular BLM contacts at the local or state level.