FREEDOM Act

The FREEDOM Act amends several energy and mineral laws to streamline federal leasing and permitting for energy and mineral projects, establish enforceable timelines and expedited judicial remedies, limit federal actions that halt fully permitted projects, and create a compensation program for project sponsors who suffer losses due to federal delays or actions. Sec. 3, Amendments to Energy Act of 2020: Adds a new title to the Energy Act of 2020 defining terms like 'covered energy project' (energy, carbon, or mineral infrastructure) and 'authorization'. It requires the Interior and Agriculture Secretaries to develop categorical exclusions for low-disturbance activities on federal land rights-of-way within 180 days, and to issue cost recovery agreements within 30 days of a complete application. It also establishes a De-Risking Compensation Program in the Department of Energy to compensate project sponsors for unrecoverable losses from agency actions, inaction, or delay, funded by annual premiums of 1.5% of capital contributions (adjustable up to 3%). Sec. 4, Geothermal Leasing and Permitting Improvements; Permitting Compliance on Non-Federal Land: Requires annual geothermal lease sales (instead of every 2 years) and replacement sales within 180 days if cancelled. Mandates cost recovery rules for geothermal permits within 180 days. Requires a federal permitting process for simultaneous geothermal project phases within 1 year. Extends certain NEPA and Mineral Leasing Act provisions to geothermal resources. Establishes a Geothermal Ombudsman within 60 days to liaise and resolve disputes. For non-federal land, prohibits the Interior Secretary from requiring a federal drilling permit for oil and gas or geothermal activities if the federal government owns less than 50% of the minerals or surface estate, with notification and access agreement requirements, but not applying to Indian lands.