To streamline geothermal energy development and production and decrease energy costs, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) on July 14 sponsored legislation that would waive the requirement for a federal drilling permit in certain instances, and also exempt them from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. “Burdensome, duplicative federal regulations create roadblocks to developing the energy our nation needs,” Sen. Hoeven said. “This approach, which affects oil and gas production as well, severely hampers U.S. energy development,” he said. The senator sponsored the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act of 2026, S. 4975, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) to support the expanded development of geothermal energy. S. 4975 also has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for action.