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Committee advances geothermal bill amid dispute over senior water rights and consultation with Warm Springs Water District
Summary
H 676, which treats geothermal extraction as a non‑consumptive use because water is reinjected into the aquifer, was advanced to the House floor after proponents emphasized potential benefits and the Boise Warm Springs Water District raised concerns about senior water rights and lack of consultation.
The House Resources & Conservation Committee voted to send H 676 to the House floor with a DO PASS recommendation after hearing testimony from proponents who described geothermal energy as an underused resource and from a water district that cautioned about rights and consultation.
Rep. Petzke presented H 676, saying the bill concerns "energy carried in water, also called geothermal energy," and that after heat extraction the water is reinjected back into the aquifer, making it a non‑consumptive use. Proponents included Roy Mink (geothermal consultant), Roger Batt (Treasure Valley Water Users Association), Paul Arrington (Idaho Water Users Association) and Kathy Griesmyer (City of Boise Mayor's Office), who argued geothermal has potential benefits for other cities.
Bruce Smith of the Boise Warm Springs Water District testified in opposition, saying the Municipal Water Rights Act contains an exemption for geothermal water and that the City of Boise has not properly consulted the Warm Springs Water District, which holds senior water rights dating to 1894.
Rep. Raybould moved to send H 676 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation; the motion carried by voice vote. Rep. Shepherd requested to be recorded as voting NAY.
