Monday, June 23, 2008 : 8:30 a.m.
Geothermal Wells: Regulatory and Technical Requirements under EPA's UIC Program
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that geoexchange systems are the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available. Geothermal heating and cooling systems utilize the constant temperature of the earth as the heat exchange medium. In open systems, groundwater is generally the heat transfer medium. Groundwater is pumped from an extraction well and then circulated through a heat pump which provides heating or cooling to the building interior. The circulated water is injected back into the subsurface. Open loop and standing column geothermal wells are regulated as Class V injection wells by EPA’s Underground Injection Control (UIC) program. The federal UIC regulations require that geothermal wells be authorized by permit or by rule. Applicants must also inventory their wells with EPA, such as in New York, or with EPA approved state programs such as in New Jersey . EPA reviews applications to inject and inventory information including the type of injection, geologic maps showing all Underground Sources of Drinking Water in the vicinity of the proposed injection, and well construction specifications. This presentation will provide technical information regarding geothermal well design and operation, EPA’s UIC requirements, and several case studies of large geothermal projects in New York City.
The work described was performed by officials of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. However, neither this abstract nor the actual presentation has been peer reviewed by EPA
The work described was performed by officials of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. However, neither this abstract nor the actual presentation has been peer reviewed by EPA
Margaret Halley, U.S. EPA Margaret Halley is an Environmental Scientist and Certified Enforcement Officer at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2. She currently works in the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Ms. Halley has worked in Region 2 for over 20 years, in Construction Grants, the NEPA program, and RCRA hazardous waste compliance. She has extensive experience in reviewing geothermal well applications for authorization by permit or by rule.
Dennis J. McChesney, U.S. EPA Region 2 Dennis McChesney is Chief of the Groundwater Compliance Section at U.S. EPA Region 2.
2008 NGWA Conference on Eastern Regional Ground Water Issues