New and Modified Legacy Rehost 2000 (LR2000) Case Types and Action Codes for Tracking Geothermal Resources Leasing and Operations under the revised Geothermal Leasing regulations and implementation of the National Lease Sale System (NLSS) Public Challenge

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20240

February 1, 2008

In Reply Refer To:
3200 (310) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 02/19/2008
Instruction Memorandum No. 2008-068
Expires:  09/30/2009

To:                   All Field Officials

From:              Assistant Director, Minerals, Realty and Resource Protection

Subject:           New and Modified Legacy Rehost 2000 (LR2000) Case Types and Action Codes for Tracking Geothermal Resources Leasing and Operations under the revised Geothermal Leasing regulations and implementation of the National Lease Sale System (NLSS) Public Challenge and Stipulations Modules

Program Area:  Geothermal Resources – LR2000.

Purpose:  This Instruction Memorandum (IM) provides guidance for the use of eight new and two modified LR2000 Case Recordation Case Types and the use of nine new and the modification of five existing Action Codes for geothermal leasing. 

Policy/Action:  Modifications and additions to LR2000 are described in Attachment 1.  Washington Office IM No. 2007-068, Oil and Gas Use of the LR2000 National Lease Sale System (NLSS) Public Challenge and Stipulations Modules, is referenced within this IM and applies to the geothermal leasing program.

Timeframe:  This IM is effective immediately, and remains in effect until rescinded or modified.

Budget Impact:  Implementation of the new policy in this IM can be accommodated under existing budget allocations.

Background:  The Final rulemaking for 43 CFR Parts 3000, 3200, and 3280, effective June 1, 2007, implemented provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) by amending the existing geothermal regulations.  The rule restructures the existing regulations in the following areas: leasing; lease terms, conditions, and rentals; lease duration; acreage limitations; work commitment requirements; annual rental and credit of rental towards royalty; and unit and communitization agreements.

The EPAct eliminated the two tier leasing program and replaced it with an all competitive leasing system similar to oil and gas leasing.  In addition, the rule provides for noncompetitive leasing for direct use, without sale, for purposes other than commercial generation of electricity.  This revision requires a change to current data standards and Corporate Metadata Repository data elements.

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected:  This guidance will be incorporated into the BLM Manual Handbooks in the 3200 series when next updated.

Coordination:  This guidance was coordinated with the Land and Resources Project Office Project Manager, the National Lease Sale User Requirements Team, and senior field office fluids adjudicators.

Contact:  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by telephone, at 202-208-4201, or by e-mail at mike_nedd@blm.gov, or your staff may contact Kermit Witherbee, Geothermal Program Manager by telephone at 202-452-0385, or  by e-mail at kermit_witherbee@blm.gov.

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:
Michael D. Nedd                                                        Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director                                                       Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Minerals, Realty and Resource Protection

1 Attachment
     1- Case Type Code and Action Code Changes to LR 2000 for Geothermal Leasing (3 pp)