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Committee backs study to evaluate geothermal potential at coal-fired sites
Summary
House Bill 401 directs the Office of Energy Development to assess subsurface temperatures, potential electricity production, infrastructure stability, costs and job impacts for geothermal development at or near existing coal-fired plants; the committee favorably recommended the bill and a $250,000 fiscal estimate was noted.
The Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Standing Committee favorably recommended House Bill 401, which directs the Office of Energy Development to study the feasibility of developing geothermal energy facilities at or near existing coal-fired electric-generation sites.
Representative Watkins, presenting the bill, said the study would assess subsurface temperatures, potential electricity production, infrastructure stability, estimated capital costs, and economic and job impacts, and requires a public report to the Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Interim Committee and publication on the office's website. Watkins emphasized that the assessment would be limited in scope and would not proceed where subsurface salt caverns (noted near the IPP plant) could pose a risk.
Senator Winterton and others voiced support, saying existing infrastructure at some sites could reduce cost and deployment time if geothermal resources are present. Committee members noted a fiscal impact line in the file: roughly $250,000 was discussed during the hearing as the bill’s fiscal cost.
Senator Winterton moved to favorably recommend the bill; Representative Watkins waived summation and the committee recommended HB401 to the floor unanimously.
The committee record indicates the study would run through a defined end date and report findings to the interim committee and public website; no subsequent floor action was recorded in this hearing.
