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Geothermal Rules <br />Statement of Basis and Purpose <br />Rule 7.7.2 provides that, where more than one certified individual is involved in the <br />construction of a loop field or loop fields at a common job site, one certified individual <br />may submit the required work reports for the construction. <br />Rules 7.8, 7.8.1 and 7.8.2 describe a direct connection between the activation of a <br />certification and the individual's possession of a valid geothermal well permit authorizing <br />the construction of loop fields for geoexchange systems. The Rules explain the <br />certification is only activated when the individual has the required geothermal well <br />permit and that the certification is considered inactive when the permit expires. <br />Renewal of a permit issued to the individual re -activates the certification if it has not <br />been inactive for more than two years. The Rules indicate that permit to construct loop <br />fields is valid for one year and that any loop field constructed without the required well <br />permit and associated certification is subject to an order from the State Engineer to <br />have the loops plugged. <br />RULE 8 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR TYPE A GEOTHERMAL WELLS <br />Section 37-90.5-106(4), C.R.S. (2003) describes two types of geothermal wells; those <br />that have a total depth not exceeding 2,500 feet and encounter geothermal fluids with <br />temperatures not exceeding 212' Fahrenheit, and those that exceed the <br />aforementioned depth or temperature thresholds. The two types of wells described by <br />statute are defined in these Rules as Type A and Type B geothermal wells, respectively. <br />Rule 8.1 recognizes that there are also different kinds of Type A geothermal wells <br />based on differing construction requirements and techniques. <br />Rule 8.2 explains that a Type A -OS well (an open system geothermal well not <br />exceeding 2,500 feet in depth and encountering fluids with temperatures not exceeding <br />2120 Fahrenheit) is essentially a water well and is within the statutory definition of a <br />"well;" differing only in the beneficial use of the ground water withdrawn. For this <br />reason, the construction of a Type A -OS well is under the authority of the State Board of <br />Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors and subject to <br />the applicable provisions of Article 91 of Title 37 and standards of the Water Well <br />Construction Rules, 2 CCR 402-2. <br />Rule 8.2.1 advises that a Type A -OS well must be constructed by or under the <br />supervision of a contractor licensed by the State Board of Examiners of Water Well <br />Construction and Pump Installation Contractors, and that pumping equipment can only <br />be installed in a Type A -OS geothermal well by or under the supervision of a pump <br />installation contractor holding a valid license from said Board. <br />Rule 8.2.2 specifies that construction of a Type A -OS well must comply with the <br />minimum well construction standards of the Water Well Construction Rules, 2 CCR 402- <br />2. In addition, a Type A -OS geothermal well is subject to any pertinent requirements <br />specified in these Geothermal Rules or requirements stated in the conditions of <br />N. <br />