County approves Rototherm geothermal lease allowing subsurface access beneath county roads

The Box Elder County Commission approved Agreement 26-42 on a vote after a presentation from Scott Lyons, the county's Community Development official, and Michael Dabbs of Rototherm Energy Corporation.

Lyons told commissioners the agreement is a lease of subsurface rights beneath county roads that would permit Rototherm to extend its geothermal infrastructure along a corridor west of Honeyville to west of Brigham City. He emphasized that the agreement covers only subsurface use and that separate county land-use permitting and state permits would still be required for surface facilities and access.

Michael Dabbs, representing Rototherm, described the company's system as a "waterless geothermal" technology that drills about 2 miles down, runs horizontal wells for 2–3 miles and uses a small surface pad. "Our surface footprint is about 3 to 4 acres for a production pad, and that 3 to 4 acres can generate heat from surrounding area of about 960 acres," Dabbs said. He added, "We're not your traditional geothermal. We operate on a much lower temperature."

Commissioners asked about packets provided to landowners and requested clearer lay-language explanations for residents; Dabbs said the company has been meeting with landowners and welcomed feedback. Scott Lyons clarified that the lease and a recorded memorandum establish the subsurface rights but do not substitute for later site-plan and permitting reviews that will set well locations, access, and transmission routing.

The commission approved the agreement and the associated memorandum, with commissioners noting that future permitting and review will address road crossings, transmission lines and environmental and land-use specifics.

The memorandum establishing the lease will be recorded with the county recorder; any drilling, surface infrastructure or transmission routes will be subject to later county and state review.