35 AUGUST 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Taking Steps to Accelerate Geothermal Energy Development Adapted from Information by the Bureau of Land Management To make exploring for geothermal energy on public lands easier and faster, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved a categorical exclusion. This action allows small-scale exploration projects - disturbing up to ten acres of land - to move forward with less red tape. “By setting consistent permitting expectations across public lands, we’re giving operators a clear, predictable path to delivering a reliable supply of geothermal energy,” said BLM Acting Director Bill Groffy. “This new categorical exclusion streamlines the process without compromising environmental review or quality standards. It will expedite the approval of new geothermal projects, ensuring operators across the West can provide more energy for the American people.” Categorical exclusions refer to specific types of actions generally recognized as having minimal environmental consequences, which allows for bypassing a comprehensive environmental assessment. Streamlining National Environmental Policy Act compliance through categorical exclusions removes regulatory burdens and speeds up the process, saving time and resources. Before relying on a categorical exclusion for a proposed project, an agency must verify there are no extraordinary circumstances, such as potential impacts to endangered species or cultural resources, which may result in the project having any significant environmental effects. With geothermal exploration, companies actively seek signs of geothermal resources through geophysical surveys, core drilling, and the installation of temperature gradient wells, as well as related well pads, roads, and trails. Exploration operations do not include direct testing of geothermal resources and the production or utilization of geothermal resources. Geothermal is an abundant resource, especially in the West, which the BLM has authority to manage geothermal leasing, exploration, and development on approximately 245 million surface acres of public lands and the 700 million acres where the United States owns the subsurface mineral estate. GEO The Franklin Electric (FE) VersaBoost™ Pro series of all-in-one constant pressure boosting systems delivers consistent water pressure - even as demand changes. These compact units combine performance, reliability, and smart design which connects one-to-one via the FE Connect app and automatically adjusts to demand, ensuring stable water pressure in homes and multifamily buildings. Powered by Franklin Electric’s encapsulated four-inch submersible pump-motor assembly for superior performance and long life, the variable frequency drive delivers built-in protection including underload, overload, overpressure, overheating, anticycling, in addition to freeze protection. An integrated check valve and expansion tank is included, along with top, front, and rear covers for easy access to all components without disrupting the plumbing. These wireless systems are scalable for multipumping systems - up to four units in parallel - for city water pressure boosting, constant pressure for private well systems, pressurizing water from cistern tanks above or below the system’s input, repressurizing after filtration systems, as well as hydroponic or irrigation system boosting.
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