The Protecting American Competition Act of 2026, also known as the CLEAN Act, requires the Department of the Interior to hold annual lease sales for geothermal energy development on federal land, instead of every two years. It mandates that all nominated parcels for geothermal development must be offered in these sales. If a sale is canceled or delayed, a replacement sale must occur within the same year. Additionally, the bill sets deadlines for the Department to respond to applications for geothermal drilling permits.
Supporters of the CLEAN Act have praised it for promoting renewable energy development and increasing the availability of geothermal resources, which is seen as a crucial step in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change. The annual lease sales are viewed as a way to streamline the process and encourage investment in clean energy technologies.
Critics of the CLEAN Act have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts associated with increased geothermal drilling and development on federal lands. Some environmental groups argue that the accelerated lease sales could lead to insufficient oversight and management of geothermal resources, potentially harming ecosystems and local communities.
Based on the available data, there appears to be a low risk of conflicts of interest between the sponsor's donors and the bill's subject matter. No direct industry overlaps were detected between the subjects of the bill and the top donor industries of the sponsor, Darrell Issa. The most significant lobbying activity in this bill's policy area came from Verano Holdings LLC, which contributed $70,000. Other notable contributions include $30,000 from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and $10,000 from the Private Care Association Inc. However, without specific information on the interests of these organizations and how they might intersect with the bill's provisions, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about potential conflicts. The undisclosed amounts from several organizations add an element of uncertainty, but without further information, they do not necessarily indicate a conflict of interest.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RIVERS ACTION FUND | AMERICAN RIVERS ACTION FUND | $120,000 |
| VERANO HOLDINGS LLC | VERANO HOLDINGS LLC | $70,000 |
| COLLEGE OF HEALTHCARE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVES | COLLEGE OF HEALTHCARE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVES | $30,000 |
| WINDOW COVERING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION | NORTHSTAR EK LLC | $30,000 |
| SHINE TECHNOLOGIES | NORTHSTAR EK LLC | $30,000 |
| PRIVATE CARE ASSOCIATION INC | HOLLRAH LLC | $10,000 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS AND ADVISORS | NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS AND ADVISORS | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WORKFORCE BOARDS | NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WORKFORCE BOARDS | undisclosed |
| MYSTERY SHOPPING PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. | HOLLRAH LLC | undisclosed |
| COALITION TO PRESERVE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS | HOLLRAH LLC | undisclosed |
| TOBACCO-FREE KIDS ACTION FUND | SACHS MEDIA. INC. | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY | THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY | undisclosed |
| SYENSQO USA LLC | RIDGELINE ADVOCACY GROUP LLC | undisclosed |
| PUEBLO OF JEMEZ | DENTONS US LLP | undisclosed |
| INVIVYD, INC. | KING & SPALDING LLP | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
