119-HR-398 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — H.R. 398 (119th Congress)

Headline Summary: Let Interior recover its administrative costs for geothermal projects by charging applicants and leaseholders, with authority lasting through 2032. [1]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.398 - Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025…

What It Does: The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act so the Department of the Interior can require people applying for or holding federal geothermal leases to reimburse the government for reasonable costs of processing applications (like drilling and operations plans) and for inspections and monitoring. The Secretary can reduce fees for economic hardship or to encourage geothermal use, and any collected funds count as offsetting collections that can only be spent if Congress later appropriates them. [1]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.398 - Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025…[3]Congress.gov — H.R.398 — Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025 (overvi…

Who’s For It:

• Sponsor: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–NY). [3]Congress.gov — H.R.398 — Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025 (overvi…
• Rationale cited in official summary: give Interior authority to bill applicants/leaseholders for permitting and oversight costs through September 30, 2032, with discretion to reduce charges. [3]Congress.gov — H.R.398 — Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025 (overvi…[1]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.398 - Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025…
• As of December 10, 2025, no cosponsors are listed on Congress.gov. [4]Congress.gov — All Information for H.R.398 (status, committees, cosponsors)

Who’s Against It:

• No formal opposition is posted on Congress.gov as of December 10, 2025. [4]Congress.gov — All Information for H.R.398 (status, committees, cosponsors)
• Potential concerns you might hear: added costs for developers (especially smaller firms) and uncertainty because collected fees can only be used if future appropriations allow it; supporters note the bill lets the Secretary reduce fees for hardship or to promote geothermal use. [1]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.398 - Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025…

What’s Next: The bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee on January 14, 2025. A legislative hearing in the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. in 1334 Longworth. [3]Congress.gov — H.R.398 — Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025 (overvi…[2]Congress.gov — House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resou…[5]U.S. House of Representatives — Committee Calendar — Tuesday, December 16, 2025…

Tone: Neutral, plain-English, and focused on what changes for applicants, agencies, and taxpayers.