30 U.S.C. § 1003
The Secretary shall accept nominations of land to be leased at any time from qualified companies and individuals under this chapter.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by this chapter, all land to be leased that is not subject to leasing under subsection (c) shall be leased as provided in this subsection to the highest responsible qualified bidder, as determined by the Secretary.
The Secretary shall hold a competitive lease sale at least once every 2 years for land in a State that has nominations pending under subsection (a) if the land is otherwise available for leasing.
Lands that are subject to a mining claim for which a plan of operations has been approved by the relevant Federal land management agency may be available for noncompetitive leasing under this section to the mining claim holder.
Land under an oil and gas lease issued pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) or the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.) that is subject to an approved application for permit to drill and from which oil and gas production is occurring may be available for noncompetitive leasing under subsection (c) by the holder of the oil and gas lease-
The Secretary shall make available for a period of 2 years for noncompetitive leasing any tract for which a competitive lease sale is held, but for which the Secretary does not receive any bids in a competitive lease sale.
It shall be a priority for the Secretary, and for the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to National Forest Systems land, to ensure timely completion of administrative actions, including amendments to applicable forest plans and resource management plans, necessary to process applications for geothermal leasing pending on August 8, 2005.1 All future forest plans and resource management plans for areas with high geothermal resource potential shall consider geothermal leasing and development.
An application described in paragraph (1) and any lease issued pursuant to the application-
If information is available to the Secretary indicating a geothermal resource that could be produced as 1 unit can reasonably be expected to underlie more than 1 parcel to be offered in a competitive lease sale, the parcels for such a resource may be offered for bidding as a block in the competitive lease sale.
Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Secretary may identify areas in which the land to be leased under this chapter exclusively for direct use of geothermal resources, without sale for purposes other than commercial generation of electricity, may be leased to any qualified applicant that first applies for such a lease under regulations issued by the Secretary, if the Secretary-
Subject to paragraph (2), a geothermal lease for the direct use of geothermal resources shall cover not more than the quantity of acreage determined by the Secretary to be reasonably necessary for the proposed use.
The quantity of acreage covered by the lease shall not exceed the limitations established under section 1006 of this title.
1 See Codification note below.
30 U.S.C. § 1003
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Mineral Leasing Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is act Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 437, which is classified generally to chapter 3A (§181 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 181 of this title and Tables.The Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is act Aug. 7, 1947, ch. 513, 61 Stat. 913, which is classified generally to chapter 7 (§351 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 351 of this title and Tables.
CODIFICATIONAugust 8, 2005, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), was in the original "the date of enactment of this subsection" which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109-58 which amended this section generally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
AMENDMENTS2020-Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116-260 added par. (4).2005- Pub. L. 109-58, §222, inserted section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text related to competitive bidding requirements, conversion of prior leases to geothermal leases, conflicting land interests, conversion of prior applications, acreage limitation, regulations, and time for payment.Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 109-58, §223(b), added subsecs. (f) and (g).
- Secretary
- "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior;
- direct use
- "direct use" means utilization of geothermal resources for commercial, residential, agricultural, public facilities, or other energy needs other than the commercial production of electricity; and 21 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.2 So in original. Probably should end with a period instead of "; and".
- geothermal lease
- "geothermal lease" means a lease issued under authority of this chapter;
- geothermal resources
- "geothermal resources" means (i) all products of geothermal processes, embracing indigenous steam, hot water and hot brines; (ii) steam and other gases, hot water and hot brines resulting from water, gas, or other fluids artificially introduced into geothermal formations; (iii) heat or other associated energy found in geothermal formations; and (iv) any byproduct derived from them;