SB1762

What the category means: the law retains the definition of a well used to retain energy that may provide dispatchable electricity generation for the power grid—generation available when needed. It adds “geothermal” to the category’s name and excludes battery energy storage resources from that category. This is a change to the orphaned-well program, not a blanket exemption from other energy or environmental regulation. Final law, section 1.

Operator designation still requires documentation: the statute continues to require a factually supported claim, based on a recognized legal theory, to a continuing possessory right in the mineral estate, the geothermal estate or the geologic space accessed for an energy conservation well. SB1762 updates the last alternative to use the new geothermal name. A completed certificate of compliance and a nonrefundable $250 fee remain required; those requirements and the three property-right alternatives already existed. The bill does not give an applicant ownership of another person’s property. Final law, section 2; Pre-session orphaned-well statute, subsection (f).

Earlier proposals versus final law: the introduced bill would also have called the well an “electric energy storage facility.” The Senate substitute removed that classification while keeping the exclusion of battery energy storage resources. The Senate-passed, House committee and enrolled texts retained the substitute’s operative provisions. The official amendment index lists no amendments. Introduced; Senate substitute; Senate-passed; House committee; Final law; Version index; Amendment index.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

The clearer category may help applicants and regulators distinguish geothermal energy retention in wells from battery storage. It does not guarantee that an orphaned well is suitable for conversion or that it will deliver power. Existing inspection limits and operator requirements remain outside this bill’s narrow changes. The act creates no new grant, tax break or appropriation. Final law; Pre-session orphaned-well statute.

The introduced and Senate committee fiscal notes forecast no significant fiscal impact to the state, assume any revenue implications would be insignificant, and anticipate no local-government fiscal implication. They do not quantify electricity output, private conversion costs or consumer savings. Introduced fiscal note; Senate fiscal note.