Geothermal Guidance

This page serves as a central point of reference and as a repository of reading material and information for the BLM’s geothermal program. Resources included on this page are the following: information about geothermal energy projects, forms, the Code of Federal Regulations, the 1970 Geothermal Steam Act, the BLM’s geothermal Programmatic EIS, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, E-Planning, BLM Geothermal Resource Orders, BLM Instruction Memoranda, guidance for exploration development, surface operating standards and guidelines, cooperative agreements, frequently asked questions, guidance for development on Indian lands and consultation with Tribes, and state-specific regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations

30 USC 1004 Geothermal Rents and Royalties

30 CFR Parts 202, 206, 210, 217 and 218 Geothermal Royalty Payments, Direct Use Fees, and Royalty Valuation

40 CFR 1500-1508, 1515 Royalty Environmental Protection and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

43 CFR 2800 Rights-of-Way under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act

43 CFR 3000 Minerals Management

43 CFR 3000.12 Schedule for Fixed Fees, Updated Annually

43 CFR 3200 Geothermal Leasing and Operations

43 CFR 3280 Geothermal Unit Agreements

BLM Instruction Memoranda and Information Bulletins

WO IM-2019-013 National Policy for  Rights-of-Way Bonding

WO IM-2016-071 Geothermal Temperature Gradient Well Permitting and Operating Requirements

WO IM-2014-007 Geothermal Lease Management

WO IM-2014-007 Geothermal Diligent Exploration Expenditure Requirement Violations

WO IM-2013-105 Adjudication of Oil and Gas and Geothermal Operating Rights Assignments

WO IM-2013-033 Fluid Minerals Operations - Reducing Preventable Causes of Direct Wildlife Mortality

WO IB-2011-072 Establishment of the National Renewable Energy Coordination Office

WO IM-2010-173 Renewable Energy Generated or Purchased for the Bureau of Land Management's Owned Facilities

WO IM-2009-022 Geothermal Leasing under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct)

WO IM-2007-021 Integration of Best Management Practices into Application for Permit to Drill Approvals and Associated Rights-of-Way

State Specific Guidance

California

CA IM-2015-007 Rent for Non-Linear Rights-of-Way and Permits

Geothermal Information from California Government

Revised MOU with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWCB) Outlines Procedures for Reporting Proposed Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Field Discharges and for Prescribing Permit Requirements

State Information about Geothermal Energy

 

Idaho

ID IM-2015-002 Minimum Rental Rates for Certain Non-Linear Rights-of-Way and Land Use Authorizations

State Information about Geothermal Energy

Nevada

BLM/NDOM 2006 MOU for Coordination of OGG Permitting and Inspection 
Geothermal Energy Projects Table Documents may be superseded or revised at a later date

Geothermal Information from the Nevada Government

MOU NDOM BLM 2006 NDEP and NDOM Injection Well 2008

NAC 445A NDEP Water Pollution Control

NDEP/NDOM Cooperative Agreement 2008

NRS 445A NDEP Water Controls

NRS 534A NDOM Geothermal Resources

NV IM-2016-045 Procedure for Granting Verbal Approvals for Fluid Mineral Permits

NV IM-2015-008 Rent for Non-Linear Rights-of-Way and Permits

NV IM-2014-034 Geothermal Exploration Permit Guidance Direction

NV IM-2014-031 Fluid Mineral Leasing of Lands Adjacent to Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas

NV IM-2014-016 Delegation of Authority for Adjudicating and Processing Geothermal Leasing

NV IM-2013-024 Geothermal Permitting

NV IM-2013-023 Procedure for Granting Verbal Approvals for Fluid Mineral Permits

NV IM-2013-009 Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse Interim Management Policies and Procedures

NV IM-2012-009 Geothermal Exploration Permit Guidance Direction

NV IM-2010-063 Guidance for the Development of Project-Specific Avian and Bat Protection Plans for Renewable Energy Facilities

NV IM-2010-037 Procedure for Granting Verbal Approvals for Fluid Mineral Permits

NV IM-2008-022 Geothermal Drilling Permit (GDP) Processing

NV IM-2004-035 Signing of Geothermal Hazards

State Information about Geothermal Energy

State Protocol Agreement Implementing the National Historic Preservation Act

New Mexico

NM IM-2015-009 Rent for Non-Linear Rights-of-Way and Permits

NM IM-2014-016 Delegation of Authority for Adjudicating and Processing Geothermal Leasing

State Information about Geothermal Energy

Oregon-Washington

BLM MOU OR936-0903 Coordination on Energy Right-of-Way Projects in the State of Oregon

BLM MOU OR936-1505 Cooperating Agency Status for Preparation of the Mt. Baker Geothermal Consent to Lease Environmental Assessment

State Information about Geothermal Energy

Utah

Utah

State Information about Geothermal Energy

BLM Geothermal Resources

BLM Geothermal Resources Operational Orders

BLM Geothermal Order 1 Exploratory Operations

BLM Geothermal Order 2 Drilling, Completion, and Spacing of Geothermal Wells

BLM Geothermal Order 3 Plugging and Abandonment of Wells

BLM Geothermal Order 4 General Environmental Protection Requirements

BLM Geothermal Order 5 Plans of Operation, Permits, Reports, Records, and Forms

BLM Geothermal Order 6 Pipelines and Surface Production Facilities

BLM Geothermal Order 7 Production and Royalty Measurement, Equipment, and Testing Procedures