Survey Of Environmental Regulations Applying To Geothermal Exploration Development And Use PDF Download

This report presents the results of a survey of existing legal requirements applicable or potentially applicable to the production and use of geothermal resources. The survey constituted Phase I of a comprehensive Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study of the environmental ramifications of geothermal development. Thus, the report focuses almost exclusively on the local, state, federal, and federally-approved ordinances, statutes, regulations, and standards designed to minimize adverse environmental effects of pollution sources. These documents relate to such factors as air and water pollution control, noise reduction, land disposal of wastes, and subsidence, and some are specificialy directed to geothermal activities while others are more general requirements which, it is assumed, will be applicable to geothermal develoment. The criteria which mandate the preparation of environmental impact evaluations are detailed along with the information which such assessments must develop. In addtion, specific engineering and documentation requirements during drilling and testing of wells are identified.