House Bill 106 initially sought to repeal Act 97, legislation adopted last year that eliminated geothermal subzones, a land use designation first created when the state began pursuing geothermal development but since seen as too burdensome by state land managers.
Critics of the act, who believe geothermal development should be restricted to designated areas, say it removed too many regulations for tapping into the state’s underground heat sources, including a county permitting process.
The House Committee on Water and Land replaced HB 106 last month with another geothermal bill. The new version also would re-establish the geothermal resource permit process for counties but would not reinstate the subzones.
It also would require a “buffer zone” between new geothermal development and other lands, and assessments for new projects that include environmental and social impacts, and the development’s compatibility with nearby land uses.
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