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Panelists and agencies back HB 11‑65 to create geologic storage stewardship enterprise and clarify geothermal rules
Summary
The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee advanced House Bill 11‑65 to the Committee of the Whole after testimony from state agencies, local officials, industry and environmental groups describing a fee‑funded state enterprise to oversee long‑term stewardship of Class VI carbon storage sites and statutory clarifications for geothermal regulation.
The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee advanced House Bill 11‑65 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation after extended testimony from state agencies, local officials and industry and environmental advocates.
Senator Sarah Simpson, the lead sponsor, and co‑sponsor Senator Kipp said the bill creates two related policy tracks: (1) an enterprise funded by fees on geologic storage operators to provide long‑term monitoring and stewardship of Class VI carbon storage sites after operators meet strict closure requirements; and (2) statutory clarifications for geothermal development and regulation to reduce dual permitting, protect existing water users, and provide licensing and oversight for closed‑loop geothermal installers.
State agencies described the bill as a follow‑through on prior policy actions. Aaron Ray, assistant director for energy at the Department of Natural Resources, said HB 11‑65 is a DNR priority and implements recommendations from a December…
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