HEATS Act
12/16/2024, 8:39 PMSummary of Bill HR 7409
The HEATS Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 7409, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address the issue of extreme heat in the United States, particularly in urban areas where heat waves can have a significant impact on public health and safety.The HEATS Act proposes several measures to combat extreme heat, including the creation of a national heat action plan that would coordinate efforts to reduce the impact of heat waves on vulnerable populations. This plan would involve collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as non-profit organizations and community groups.
Additionally, the bill calls for the establishment of a grant program to fund projects that aim to reduce the urban heat island effect, which is the phenomenon where cities are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities. These projects could include planting trees, installing green roofs, and implementing cool pavement technologies. Furthermore, the HEATS Act seeks to improve heat-related data collection and research in order to better understand the impacts of extreme heat and develop effective strategies for mitigation. This would involve funding for research on heat-related illnesses, heat-related deaths, and the effectiveness of various heat mitigation strategies. Overall, the HEATS Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that aims to address the growing threat of extreme heat in the United States. By implementing measures to reduce the impact of heat waves on vulnerable populations and improve our understanding of heat-related issues, this bill has the potential to make a significant difference in protecting public health and safety.
Congressional Summary of HR 7409
Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act or the HEATS Act
This bill exempts certain geothermal activities on state and private lands (except Indian lands) from drilling permit requirements as well as environmental and historic preservation review requirements.
First, the bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from requiring an operator to obtain a drilling permit under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 for any geothermal exploration and production activity conducted on a nonfederal surface estate (i.e., the part of the estate that is above ground) if (1) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50% of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action, and (2) the operator submits to Interior a state permit to conduct the geothermal exploration and production activity on the nonfederal surface estate.
Next, the bill states that such geothermal exploration and production activity is not considered a major federal action under National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thus, such activity does not trigger NEPA's environmental review requirements.
In addition, the bill exempts such activity from the consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It also exempts the activity from review under the National Historic Preservation Act unless the state in which the activity occurs does not have a state law that addresses the preservation of historic properties.
