BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor

1781

(E)    "GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES" MEANS THE NATURAL HEAT OF
THE EARTH HIGHER THAN 120 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR 49 DEGREES
CENTIGRADE, OR THE ENERGY, IN WHATEVER FORM, BELOW THE
SURFACE OF THE EARTH PRESENT IN, RESULTING FROM, OR CREATED
BY, OR WHICH MAY BE EXTRACTED FROM, THIS NATURAL HEAT, THE

NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL MEDIUM CONTAINING THAT HEAT, AND ALL

MINERALS IN SOLUTION OR OTHER PRODUCTS OBTAINED FROM
NATURALLY HEATED FLUIDS, BRINES, ASSOCIATED GASES, AND
STEAM, IN WHATEVER FORM, FOUND BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE
EARTH, BUT EXCLUDING OIL, HYDROCARBON GAS, AND OTHER
HYDROCARBON SUBSTANCES.

(F)    "PERSON" INCLUDES CORPORATIONS, COMPANIES,
ASSOCIATIONS, FIRMS, PARTNERSHIPS, JOINT STOCK COMPANIES,
INDIVIDUALS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

(G)    "WELL" MEANS ANY EXCAVATION OR OTHER ALTERATION
OF THE EARTH'S SURFACE OR CRUST BY MEANS OF WHICH
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE MAY BE OBTAINED.

8-8A-02. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.

(A) GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES ARE A NATURAL RESOURCE IN
THE STATE WHICH POSSESS GREAT POTENTIAL VALUE FOR THE STATE
AND THE NATION AS A WHOLE.

(E) IN EXPLORING AND DEVELOPING GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
MAXIMUM POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION SHALL BE AFFORDED TO AVOIDING
WASTE AND UNREASONABLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TO
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT, AND TO OPTIMIZING THE PRODUCTIVE
USE OF THE RESOURCE.

8-8A-03. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

(A)    THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF THE STATE'S GEOTHERMAL
RESOURCES IN THE STATE.

(B)    THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONTRACT FOR RESEARCH AND
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL
OF THE STATE'S GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES IN THE STATE.

(C)    THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONDUCT AND PARTICIPATE IN

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS DESIGNED TO DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY
OF UTILIZING THE STATE'S GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES.

(D)    THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE ANY FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE
FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPLORING, ANALYZING, AND DEVELOPING AND
USING GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES.

(E)    THE DEPARTMENT MAY ESTABLISH REASONABLE FEES TO
COVER THE COST OF PROCESSING PERMIT APPLICATIONS.

(F)    THE DEPARTMENT MAY PROMULGATE RULES AND
REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SUBTITLE.

8-8A-04. EXPLORATORY PERMITS.