42 USC § 17286 - Geothermal assessment, exploration information, and priority activities

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s17286"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 17286 - Geothermal assessment, exploration information, and priority activities"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "17286"
section_name: "Geothermal assessment, exploration information, and priority activities"
chapter_number: 152
chapter_name: "ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "VII"
subchapter_name: "IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF ENERGY POLICY"
part_number: "A"
part_name: "Management Improvements"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 110–140, title VIII, § 807, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1723.)"
---


# § 17286. Geothermal assessment, exploration information, and priority activities

**(a)** **In general** Not later than January 1, 2012, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, shall—

**(1)** complete a comprehensive nationwide geothermal resource assessment that examines the full range of geothermal resources in the United States; and

**1** submit to the the [^1] Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing the results of the assessment.

So in original.

**(b)** **Periodic updates** At least once every 10 years, the Secretary shall update the national assessment required under this section to support public and private sector decisionmaking.

**(c)** **Authorization of appropriations** There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this section—

**(1)** $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012; and

**(2)** such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2022.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 110–140, title VIII, § 807, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1723.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after , see , set out as a note under , The Congress.