This bill addresses geothermal resources or fluids.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's geothermal energy law would see several updates under this bill. The bill narrows the stated purpose of the geothermal chapter specifically to electricity production, and it lowers the temperature threshold that defines a "geothermal resource" or "geothermal fluid" from 120 to 100 degrees centigrade, which expands what qualifies under the law. It clarifies that ownership of a geothermal resource generally belongs to whoever owns the surface of the land — separate from whoever owns underground mineral rights — unless the surface owner formally transfers that resource through a recorded deed, while specifying that on state and institutional trust lands the state retains ownership of geothermal resources unless expressly conveyed by deed; the bill also newly requires that anyone wanting to use geothermal fluid must first obtain a water right. Additionally, the bill revises confidentiality rules for well logs and drilling records by setting more specific time limits — generally five years for production or injection wells, but two years for abandoned wells or completed test/exploration projects — before those records become public, and it reorganizes and clarifies the surety bond requirements operators must meet to guarantee proper drilling, maintenance, and abandonment of geothermal wells.
Current version: SB0021S04 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Feb 4
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 20
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 23
House Rules
Feb 26
House Committee
Feb 25
House Floor Vote
Mar 5
Senate Concurrence
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 26
IntroductionJan 20
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeFeb 4
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 20
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 23
House RulesFeb 26
House CommitteeFeb 25
House Floor VoteMar 5
Senate ConcurrenceMar 6
Governor SignedMar 26
This bill addresses geothermal resources or fluids.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's geothermal energy law would see several updates under this bill. The bill narrows the stated purpose of the geothermal chapter specifically to electricity production, and it lowers the temperature threshold that defines a "geothermal resource" or "geothermal fluid" from 120 to 100 degrees centigrade, which expands what qualifies under the law. It clarifies that ownership of a geothermal resource generally belongs to whoever owns the surface of the land — separate from whoever owns underground mineral rights — unless the surface owner formally transfers that resource through a recorded deed, while specifying that on state and institutional trust lands the state retains ownership of geothermal resources unless expressly conveyed by deed; the bill also newly requires that anyone wanting to use geothermal fluid must first obtain a water right. Additionally, the bill revises confidentiality rules for well logs and drilling records by setting more specific time limits — generally five years for production or injection wells, but two years for abandoned wells or completed test/exploration projects — before those records become public, and it reorganizes and clarifies the surety bond requirements operators must meet to guarantee proper drilling, maintenance, and abandonment of geothermal wells.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM