Bill Text: GA HR880 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

Georgia House Resolution 880 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: House Study Committee on Open Loop Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems; create

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-09 - House Second Readers [HR880 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HR880-Introduced.html

11 LC 36 1935

House Resolution 880

By: Representatives Maddox of the 127th, Kaiser of the 59th, Smith of the 70th, McCall of the 30th, and Drenner of the 86th

A RESOLUTION

Creating the House Study Committee on Open Loop Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, it is generally accepted that geothermal heating systems are more environmentally friendly than conventional heating and cooling systems; and

WHEREAS, more and more property owners are turning to geothermal heating and cooling systems for increased efficiency to heat and cool their homes and other structures; and

WHEREAS, open loop systems are currently not permitted due to the fact that some may use injection wells; and

WHEREAS, injection wells are considered by many to be environmentally safe; and

WHEREAS, an open loop geothermal system requires one well drilled into one aquifer; and

WHEREAS, open loop systems dramatically reduce costs to the consumer; and

WHEREAS, open loop systems thermodynamically are extremely efficient; and

WHEREAS, open loop systems allow the usage of discharge water for alternative uses, i.e. irrigation, pond renewal, and aeration; and

WHEREAS, repairs to open loop systems can be made at the ground surface economically and increases to demand can be met by pump sizing; and

WHEREAS, in an open loop system a water well is developed and produces water that is returned to the surficial aquifer in an alternative discharge system and an injection well would allow disposal into its original source; and

WHEREAS, in open loop systems modern heat pumps are produced using heat exchangers that are tolerant of a variety of water qualities, even salt water; and

WHEREAS, open loop systems are environmentally friendly in that they require little piping, little disturbance to land surfaces, produce a water source that can be used as an alternative for nonpotable uses, and thus reduce demand on drinking water supplies; and

WHEREAS, open loop systems and injection wells are approved in most of the states surrounding the State of Georgia.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created the House Study Committee on Open Loop Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems to be composed of five members of the House of Representatives who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House from the members of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee. The committee shall meet on the call of the chairperson.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study and analysis of the current status of the approval process of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources as it relates to open loop geothermal heating and cooling systems and shall conduct a comprehensive analysis of the state's strategic needs for expedited approval of these systems. The committee shall also recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct its meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish its objectives and purposes. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than three days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives. The committee is directed to make a report of its findings and recommendations not later than December 31, 2011. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2011.