The US government will no longer offer non-competitive geothermal leases

The US Land Management Bureau is removing rules that allowed companies to get geothermal leases without competition. This means companies will now have to bid against each other for the right to develop geothermal energy on federal land.

For years, companies could get geothermal leases on federal land without having to compete, especially in areas where no one else was interested. This change means that even in less desirable areas, the government will now seek competitive bids. It could make it harder for smaller companies to secure leases, as they might be outbid by larger players.