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Committee advances H 676 to allow municipal geothermal water use with reinjection safeguards
Summary
H 676 would update RAFN statutes to recognize municipal geothermal systems as permissible municipal purposes, codify reinjection and non‑consumptive best practices, and give municipalities more flexibility to obtain and hold water rights for heating systems; the committee moved the bill to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation despite opposition from Boise Warm Springs Water District.
Senator Cook opened the discussion of H 676 by describing the Boise Geothermal Heating System, which he said "used naturally heated water to heat more than 80 buildings in downtown Boise," and by referencing materials showing aquifer recovery after the city began reinjecting used geothermal water.
Multiple witnesses testified in support: Paul Arrington highlighted the balance between demand and rights review; Kathy Griesmyer of the City of Boise said the city was nearing its volume cap on its allocated water right (approximately 370 million gallons annually) and sought additional long‑term planning flexibility while protecting non‑consumptive reinjection practices; Roger Batt said water users were included in drafting and supported the legislation; Ryan McGoldrick emphasized the closed‑loop nature of the Boise system and long‑term temperature stability. Bruce Smith, representing Boise Warm Springs Water District, testified in opposition, arguing the statute rests on a drinking‑water framework and that geothermal use may be consumptive (heat), and asked the committee to hold the bill for further discussion. The committee ultimately moved H 676 to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation.
