Denver, CO – The Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) today adopted Deep Geothermal Operations Rules. This is the first rollout of comprehensive standards to facilitate geothermal energy development following the expansion of ECMC’s focus into energy and carbon management projects beyond oil and gas under SB23-285, a law signed by Governor Polis.

“Colorado has incredible low-cost renewable energy resources like geothermal that can help reduce emissions and save Coloradans money. With the first-ever comprehensive standards for permitting Deep Geothermal and ECMC’s recent Geothermal Resources Study, Colorado is poised to leverage this clean, renewable energy resource,” said Governor Polis. “Colorado’s geothermal resources can help us meet our clean air and clean energy goals. Geothermal energy can play an integral role in powering the way Coloradans live, work, and play, and will help future generations.” 

The new standards offer a path to develop Colorado’s geothermal resources and incorporate ECMC’s expertise and experience regulating both surface and subsurface energy development activity to be protective of public health, safety, and welfare, including the environment and wildlife resources.

“ECMC is proud to have adopted the State’s first Deep Geothermal rules and have done so in an inclusive process, with diverse stakeholders,” said ECMC Chair Jeff Robbins. “These first-ever rules leverage ECMC’s strengths in regulating in a manner protective of public health, safety, welfare, wildlife, and the environment.” 

The standards demonstrate ECMC Staff’s strengths in evaluating and permitting surface locations while working with local governments and disproportionately impacted communities to have meaningful input at all points along the permitting process. The Rulemaking also leveraged ECMC Staff’s extensive expertise in regulating wellbore construction to be safe and protective, including subsurface injection activities, and in protecting subsurface property rights. 

Deep geothermal energy is an emerging industry in Colorado that can utilize hot water and rock in deep subsurface formations to produce electric power and/or for direct heating uses. Colorado has several areas with higher than normal temperatures in the subsurface. These resources have vast potential for future energy development and heat use. Geothermal energy provides a reliable, clean energy source that decreases Colorado’s reliance on fossil fuels.

About the ECMC

The mission of the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is to regulate the development and production of the natural resources of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources.

Source: ECMC