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Geothermal Rules <br />Effective Date: September 30, 2004 <br />RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PERMITTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND <br />APPROPRIATION OF GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES THROUGH THE USE OF WELLS <br />RULE 1 TITLE <br />The title of these rules and regulations is "Rules and Regulations for Permitting the <br />Development and Appropriation of Geothermal Resources through the Use of Wells". <br />The short title for these rules and regulations is "Geothermal Rules". They may be <br />referred to herein collectively as the "Rules" and individually as a "Rule". Geoexchange <br />systems, commonly constructed by drilling boreholes for the installation of pipe loops, <br />also utilize the earth's geothermal properties. The loop fields for geoexchange systems <br />do not appropriate subsurface fluids, but are referred to as "geothermal wells" or "wells" <br />in these Rules. <br />RULE 2 AUTHORITY <br />These Rules are promulgated pursuant to the authority granted the State Engineer in <br />Sections 37-80-102(1)(g) and (k), 37-90-138, and 37-90.5-106, 107 and 108, C.R.S. <br />(2003). <br />3.1 All geothermal resources of the State of Colorado shall be administered by the <br />State Engineer. The State Engineer recognizes that these resources are developed for <br />their thermal attributes and that management of geothermal resources is necessary to <br />maximize beneficial use and prevent waste of these resources. The Rules promulgated <br />herein are required to enable the State Engineer to carry out the provisions of the <br />Colorado Geothermal Resources Act, Sections 37-90.5-101 et seq, C.R.S. (2003). <br />3.2 Geothermal resources are most often developed through the construction of <br />wells and boreholes. These Rules apply to the permitting and construction of <br />geothermal wells and for the assessment of application fees pursuant to Section <br />37-90.5-106, C.R.S. (2003), and these Rules. Their purpose is to make the submission, <br />consideration and evaluation of permit applications more uniform and certain. The <br />granting of permits also provides the State Engineer the means to monitor and record <br />the development and uses of geothermal resources. <br />3.3 These Rules establish minimum standards for the construction, testing, <br />operation, and plugging of geothermal wells, and the reinjection of geothermal fluids in <br />order to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and to prevent the contamination <br />of the environment and the waste of geothermal resources. <br />