RRC announces public comment on new proposed rules for geothermal energy

(WO) - Texas has been at the forefront of energy regulation and innovation for more than a century, and the RRC has new proposed rules for public comment to administer legislation in the geothermal energy front in Texas.

Senate Bill 786 transfers regulatory authority of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the Railroad Commission, allowing the RRC jurisdiction and permitting authority for these types of wells.

The new rules specifically address shallow closed-loop geothermal systems, including the associated injection wells, which are used to heat or cool buildings without conversion to electricity.

The RRC is the primary agency that has oversight of injection wells, and transferring regulatory authority for shallow closed-loop geothermal injection wells to the Commission will streamline the process for operators who want to drill and operate geothermal injection wells of this type. The proposed rules require engineering and infrastructure safety measures to ensure protection of groundwater.

The proposed new rules and comment forms are available online under Chapter 6. Geothermal Resources. The deadline for comments is November 12, 2024.