U.S. Representative Young Kim, District 40 | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Representative Young Kim, District 40 | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) addressed the House floor to advocate for the bipartisan Harnessing Energy at Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act (H.R. 7409). The bill aims to simplify geothermal energy development and reduce energy costs.
The HEATS Act proposes expediting geothermal energy production by exempting operators from federal drilling permits for wells on state and private lands where less than 50% of the subsurface geothermal estate is federal. Operators would still comply with state permitting regulations.
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby supports this initiative.
In her speech, Rep. Kim stated, "Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable source of energy that can generate electricity, heat homes and buildings, and power industrial processes." She emphasized that increased geothermal production could lower environmental impacts and benefit the climate.
She noted the constraints imposed by federal permitting restrictions on geothermal operations compared to oil and gas extraction processes. "Currently, geothermal operators on non-federal land that produce any federal resources are subject to all federal laws and permitting processes," she explained.
California, a significant producer of geothermal energy, faces hurdles due to existing federal permitting processes alongside state regulations. The HEATS Act intends to remove these barriers for faster access to this clean energy resource.
Rep. Kim highlighted that H.R. 7409 is designed as a "commonsense measure" aiming to reduce costs for Americans while lowering emissions and enhancing national security by expanding the U.S. energy portfolio.
The Natural Resources Committee has already passed the HEATS Act with bipartisan support. Rep. Kim expressed optimism about its progress in the House: "I look forward to this bill passing out of the House in a bipartisan manner."
She thanked Representative Duarte for co-leading the bill and Natural Resources Chairman Westerman for their efforts toward accelerating geothermal energy production and promoting American energy independence.
Concluding her speech, Rep. Kim urged her colleagues: "I urge my colleagues to vote YES on H.R. 7409."
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