Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Energy
Board
Department of Energy
chapter
Geothermal Energy Regulations [4 VAC 25 ‑ 170]
Action:
Amendments regarding the regulation of geothermal energy
Action 2646
 
General Information
Action Summary As a result of periodic review, the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy is amending 4VAC25-170, Geothermal Energy Regulations. Section 4VAC25-170-10 will be amended to correct the current technical language referring to “geothermal resource”, which does not clarify that the regulation applies to non-residential use only. The amendment will clarify that the regulation does not apply to residential heat pumps, a common misconception. Amendments to 4VAC25-170-30 and 4VAC25-170-40 are being made to bring consistency to data submission requirements for the Division of Gas & Oil. The use of latitude and longitude and the Virginia Coordinate System of 1927 have been replaced by the Virginia Coordinate System of 1983 in other Division of Gas & Oil regulations. Current industry practice is to use the more modern 1983 coordinate system for describing the locations of wells and core holes. Applicants for permits under this chapter must currently convert their coordinates back to the 1927 system, as required by the regulation, in order to submit them to the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy’s Division of Gas & Oil. The amendment will allow applicants to use the updated 1983 coordinate system. Section 4VAC25-170-40 is being amended to change the name of the “Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board” to the “Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation”. This change will reflect the accuracy of the amended name for the state board statutorily responsible for Erosion and Sediment Control Regulation.
Chapters Affected Only affects this chapter.
Executive Branch Review This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
RIS Project Yes  [001316]
Result of Prior Periodic Review Filed 12/12/2007
New Periodic Review This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
 
Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
Stage ID Stage Type Status
4613 NOIRA Stage complete. Comment period ended 08/06/2008.
5011 Proposed Stage complete. Comment period ended 04/16/2010.
5623 Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/24/2012.
 
Contact Information
Name / Title: Michael Skiffington  / Regulatory Coordinator
Address: Department of Energy
1100 Bank Street, 8th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219-3402
Email Address: mike.skiffington@energy.virginia.gov
Phone: (804)692-3212    FAX: (804)692-3237    TDD: (800)828-1120

This person is the primary contact for this board.