Geothermal Development and the Use of Categorical Exclusions Under NEPA
This study focuses primarily on the Categorial Exclusions (CX) process and its applicability to geothermal exploration. In this paper, we:
- Provide generalized background information on CXs, including previous NEPA reports addressing CXs, the process for developing CXs, and the role of extraordinary circumstances;
- Examine the history of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) geothermal CXs;
- Compare current CXs for oil, gas, and geothermal energy;
- Describe bills proposing new statutory CXs;
- Examine the possibility of standardizing geothermal CXs across federal agencies; and
- Present analysis from the Geothermal NEPA Database and other sources on the potential for new geothermal exploration CXs.
As part of this study, we reviewed Environmental Assessments (EAs) conducted in response to 20 geothermal exploration drilling permit applications (Geothermal Drilling Permits or Notices of Intents) since the year 2001, the majority of which are from the last 5 years. All 20 EAs reviewed for this study resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
CX Data - geothermal-mining and oil and gas.xlsx
GRC PAPER - Geothermal Development and the Use of Categorical Exclusions Under NEPA.pdf
GRC POSTER - Geothermal CXs.pdf
GRC PRESENTATION - Categorical Exclusions.pdf
Citation Formats
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2014). Geothermal Development and the Use of Categorical Exclusions Under NEPA [data set]. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.15121/1678707.
Young, Katherine, and Levine, Aaron. Geothermal Development and the Use of Categorical Exclusions Under NEPA. United States: N.p., 30 Sep, 2014. Web. doi: 10.15121/1678707.
Young, Katherine, & Levine, Aaron. Geothermal Development and the Use of Categorical Exclusions Under NEPA. United States. https://dx.doi.org/10.15121/1678707
Young, Katherine, and Levine, Aaron. 2014. "Geothermal Development and the Use of Categorical Exclusions Under NEPA". United States. https://dx.doi.org/10.15121/1678707. https://gdr.openei.org/submissions/1260.
@div{oedi_1260, title = {Geothermal Development and the Use of Categorical Exclusions Under NEPA}, author = {Young, Katherine, and Levine, Aaron.}, abstractNote = {This study focuses primarily on the Categorial Exclusions (CX) process and its applicability to geothermal exploration. In this paper, we:
- Provide generalized background information on CXs, including previous NEPA reports addressing CXs, the process for developing CXs, and the role of extraordinary circumstances;
- Examine the history of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) geothermal CXs;
- Compare current CXs for oil, gas, and geothermal energy;
- Describe bills proposing new statutory CXs;
- Examine the possibility of standardizing geothermal CXs across federal agencies; and
- Present analysis from the Geothermal NEPA Database and other sources on the potential for new geothermal exploration CXs.
As part of this study, we reviewed Environmental Assessments (EAs) conducted in response to 20 geothermal exploration drilling permit applications (Geothermal Drilling Permits or Notices of Intents) since the year 2001, the majority of which are from the last 5 years. All 20 EAs reviewed for this study resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).}, doi = {10.15121/1678707}, url = {https://gdr.openei.org/submissions/1260}, journal = {}, number = , volume = , place = {United States}, year = {2014}, month = {09}}
https://dx.doi.org/10.15121/1678707
Details
Data from Sep 30, 2014
Last updated Feb 9, 2022
Submitted Oct 13, 2020
Organization
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Contact
Authors
Keywords
geothermal, energy, regulatory, NEPA, categorical exclusion, FONSI, permit, permitting, EA, environmental, assessment, BLM, bureau of land management, Finding of No Significant Impact, National Environmental Policy Act, administrative, statutoryDOE Project Details
Project Name Geothermal Regulatory Roadmap
Project Lead Tim Reinhardt
Project Number FY14 AOP 4.2.0.1
