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Council declines to fund $20,000 Phase 1 geothermal study after split views on long-term costs
Summary
A proposed $20,000 Phase 1 feasibility study for a community geothermal (Geo-grid) district was discussed; Councilmember Nick Porter moved to approve but the motion failed for lack of a second and was rescinded, leaving no city commitment to Phase 1.
Public Works Director Keith Despain and consultant materials presented a potential geothermal district concept and identified examples where large investments produced significant utility savings. City Manager Quinn Bennion said Phase 1—the scoping and feasibility study—would cost $20,000 for Vernal City and could be followed by Phase 2 testing if results warranted it.
Councilmember Nick Porter moved to approve the Phase 1 study with the understanding the City could discontinue after Phase 1; the motion failed without a second, was rescinded by Porter, and no funding commitment was made. Councilmembers expressed mixed views: some saw potential long-term savings while others worried the city should not bear initial costs or that the project would likely require substantial additional investment to advance.
