Bill · S. 4960· Senate(119-S-4960)
CLEAN Act
- Introduced
- 7/14/2026
- Last activity
- 7/15/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- James Risch
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act" or "CLEAN Act" seeks to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. It aims to increase the frequency of lease sales from every two years to every year. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct replacement sales if a sale is canceled or delayed. It also mandates that the Secretary offer at least 75 percent of nominated parcels for lease, requiring written justification for not offering more. Finally, it establishes specific deadlines for the Secretary to process geothermal drilling permit applications.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+4
The bill expands access to geothermal energy by mandating more frequent and predictable lease sales of nominated parcels.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
By increasing the frequency of lease sales and streamlining permit timelines, the bill facilitates more geothermal development activity.
Would business owners be better off under this?+3
The bill reduces regulatory uncertainty by establishing clear notice and decision timelines for geothermal drilling permits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Frequency of Lease Sales: By changing the schedule from every two years to every year, the bill increases how often lease sales occur (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Ensuring Continuity of Sales: If a scheduled lease sale is canceled or delayed, the Secretary is required to hold a replacement sale within that same year (Section 2(a)(3)).
-
Predictable Drilling Permit Timelines: The bill requires the Secretary to notify applicants within 30 days if an application is complete or if information is missing (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Efficient Permit Issuance: Once an application is deemed complete, the Secretary has 30 days to issue the permit, provided all legal and environmental requirements are met (Section 2(b)(2)(A)(i)).
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Clearance of Deferred Decisions: If a decision is deferred, the Secretary must issue a decision within 10 days after the applicant and the agency have completed their required actions (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Control Over Land Offerings: The Secretary is now required to offer at least 75 percent of nominated parcels, and must provide a written justification if they cannot offer the remaining 25 percent (Section 2(a)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+3Good For Farmers+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 7/15/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 7/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.