Topics and Considerations for Developing State Geothermal Regulations

Research output: NRELTechnical Report

Abstract

The intent of this document is to provide guidance to states for developing geothermal regulations that would be inclusive of all geothermal technologies (e.g., conventional and non-conventional power production and direct-use applications) with applicability in all states. As part of this project, the NREL project team reviewed and catalogued existing state and federal geothermal regulations, compiled best practices from geothermal and other extractive industries, and established a Geothermal Regulatory Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) to advise and review the geothermal regulatory guidance. The SWG met approximately monthly over the course of one year to review and discuss specific topics as relevant to this geothermal regulatory guidance. This report is broken into five main sections, which were identified in coordination with the SWG as the main topics for inclusion. Within these sections, a list of considerations within each category were identified and, in some cases, relevant examples from existing state and federal geothermal regulations are included to further illustrate the proposed considerations. This report includes the following topics: geothermal resource definition; leasing process; exploration approval process; drilling/wellfield development approval process; and underground injection control process.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages48
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/TP-6A20-86985

Keywords

  • drilling
  • exploration
  • geothermal
  • leasing
  • regulatory
  • state

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