HF 2108

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/10/2021 11:22am

A bill for an act
relating to wells and borings; adding a definition for closed loop heat exchangers;
specifying that a closed loop heat exchanger is an environmental well for purposes
of chapter 103I; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 103I.005, subdivisions
8a, 11, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 103I.005, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 2b. new text end

new text begin Closed-loop heat exchanger. new text end

new text begin "Closed-loop heat exchanger" means a heating
device consisting of a closed-loop piping system installed in an environmental well to
transfer heat to or from the aquifer with no discharge. A closed-loop heat exchanger may:
new text end

new text begin (1) be designed and constructed using any criteria or material approved for the
construction of water wells;
new text end

new text begin (2) contain biocide and anti-corrosion agents NSF-60 approved or USP-grade or
food-grade propylene glycol;
new text end

new text begin (3) have the wellbore designed with no rise, sump, or lead pipe limits as long as screens
are used within one aquifer;
new text end

new text begin (4) have removeable downhole equipment, including the heat exchanger pump and
piping; and
new text end

new text begin (5) be treated as a single system based on total tonnage consistent with current geothermal
permit fees.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 103I.005, subdivision 8a, is amended to read:

Subd. 8a.

Environmental well.

"Environmental well" means an excavation 15 or more
feet in depth that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven, dug, jetted, or otherwise constructed
to:

(1) conduct physical, chemical, or biological testing of groundwater, and includes a
groundwater quality monitoring or sampling well;

(2) lower a groundwater level to control or remove contamination in groundwater, and
includes a remedial well and excludes horizontal trenches; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(3) new text begin hold a closed-loop heat exchanger; or
new text end

new text begin (4) new text end monitor or measure physical, chemical, radiological, or biological parameters of the
earth and earth fluids, or for vapor recovery or venting systems. An environmental well
includes an excavation used to:

(i) measure groundwater levels, including a piezometer;

(ii) determine groundwater flow direction or velocity;

(iii) measure earth properties such as hydraulic conductivity, bearing capacity, or
resistance;

(iv) obtain samples of geologic materials for testing or classification; or

(v) remove or remediate pollution or contamination from groundwater or soil through
the use of a vent, vapor recovery system, or sparge point.

An environmental well does not include an exploratory boring.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 103I.005, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Groundwater thermal exchange device.

"Groundwater thermal exchange
device" means a heating or cooling device that depends on extraction and reinjection of
groundwater from an independent aquifer to operate new text begin , but does not include a closed-loop
heat exchanger new text end .