Government Drilling Permits Can Take Up to 10 Years
Geothermal energy, a clean and renewable power source drawn from the Earth’s internal heat, is gaining renewed attention as the U.S. faces surging energy demands driven by AI and data center growth.
But Deseret News reports that while geothermal power is seen as a bipartisan solution for sustainable energy, especially in resource-rich states like Utah, development is hindered by long federal permitting delays.
During a House field hearing at Southern Utah University, lawmakers and industry leaders emphasized that 90% of geothermal potential lies on federally managed land—yet it can take up to a decade to obtain drilling permits. Despite being the first renewable energy type approved by the Bureau of Land Management in 1978, geothermal projects face complex interagency conflicts and litigation threats that stall progress.
Support is growing for bipartisan legislation—including the GEO and FREE Acts—that aims to streamline the federal approval process. Advocates argue geothermal has a much smaller environmental footprint than solar and can deliver consistent, emissions-free power with minimal surface disruption. Utah, currently third in U.S. geothermal output, is seen as a key proving ground for the future of this underutilized energy source. Read more here.