Promoting Annual Competitive Geothermal Lease Sales

In response to President Trump’s Executive Order  14154, Unleashing American Energy, and Executive Order 14156, Declaring a National Energy Emergency, and Secretary Burgum’s ensuing Secretary’s Order 3417, Addressing the National Energy Emergency, and Secretary’s Order 3418, Unleashing American Energy, this policy provides the structure and guidance to support the efficient processing of geothermal lease parcel nominations (nominations) and to increase the frequency of sales.

Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act (GSA) requires a sale at least once every two years in states with pending nominations if the land is otherwise available for leasing (30 USC 1003(b)(2)). Consistent with the GSA, this IM sets a policy for SOs to conduct lease sales on an annual basis in accordance with the guidelines contained herein. SOs are expected to closely monitor the status of nominations and maintain proactive coordination to ensure timely and efficient geothermal leasing in alignment with national program objectives. Consistent implementation of this policy will advance national energy security and contribute to the Administration’s energy goals.

This policy direction for SOs to hold annual lease sales is subject to the following scenarios (note that a SO’s scenario may change from time to time and may be subject to more than one scenario):

Scenario 1 – The SO currently has pending nominations:

• On available Federal lands where the BLM has jurisdiction

Under scenario 1, the SO should follow the Annual Competitive Geothermal Lease Sale Plan Requirements below and proceed with the goal to:

• Include parcels in the planned sale for at least 90% of nominated lands that are open and available for leasing and for which the BLM received the nomination by the deadline that the SO identified in its call for nominations.

Scenario 2 – The SO currently has pending nominations:

• Only on Federal lands where another Surface Management Agency (SMA) has jurisdiction (e.g., the U.S. Forest Service).

Under scenario 2, the SO should follow the Annual Competitive Geothermal Lease Sale Plan Requirements below and:

• Work expeditiously with the SMA to gain consent for the BLM to lease the lands.
  • Once the SMA gives its consent for a parcel to be leased, the SO should proceed expeditiously with a sale prior to any expiration of the SMA consent decision, with the goal to:
    • Include at least 80% of nominated lands managed by another SMA in a sale within two years from the date the BLM received the nomination. 
       

Scenario 3 – The SO currently has no pending nominations:

• On Federal lands where the BLM has jurisdiction; or,
• On Federal lands where another SMA has jurisdiction.

Under scenario 3, no lease sale is required, and there is no need to follow the Annual Competitive Geothermal Lease Sale Plan Requirements.

Annual Competitive Geothermal Lease Sale Plan Requirements – 
SOs falling under scenarios 1 and/or 2 must prepare an Annual Competitive Geothermal Lease Sale Plan (plan) and submit it to the Geothermal Program Lead, National Renewable Energy Coordination Office, by October 1 of each year. Since this IM will be issued after October 1, 2025, the initial plan for FY2026 is due by the close of business on January 16, 2026 (Refer to Attachment 1 – Annual Competitive Geothermal Lease Sale Plan Requirements).

Policy regarding Use of Existing Land Use Plan (LUP) or Resource Management Plan (RMP) – Unless required by law or regulation, no BLM office will defer a nomination due to ongoing or pending LUP/RMP amendment(s), update(s), or revision(s). As appropriate, state/field offices may maintain or amend LUPs/RMPs to accommodate changes in lease stipulations. 

Policy regarding Public Involvement –Apart from the 45-day Lease Sale Notice, public involvement (e.g., public scoping, public comment) is not required when preparing a geothermal lease sale, or at any phase of geothermal development, under the geothermal regulations at 43 CFR 3200, unless the BLM issues a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. Public involvement is not required for an environmental assessment–level analysis; however, SOs may provide 30 days for public comment on any notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, to the extent practicable.