Resolutions Search
Geothermal Exploratory Drilling Regulations
Status
Endorsed by the NCLGA and UBCM Memberships
Whereas in alignment with section 2 of British Columbia’s Clean Energy Act, geothermal energy is capable
of providing British Columbian municipalities, Indigenous Peoples, residents, and businesses with
emissions-free, renewable, and baseload heat and electricity, for the health and socio-economic benefit of
the Province;
And whereas shallow exploratory drilling to determine temperature, stratigraphic, or hydrologic information
– a fundamental tool in the exploration for geothermal resources, is now regulated by the Oil and Gas
Commission under the Oil and Gas Activities Act as per the 2017 amendment of the Geothermal
Resources Act, which unnecessarily increases shallow exploratory drilling costs by as much as ten (10)
times as compared to the previous versions of the Geothermal Resources Act:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government and its relevant ministry – the Ministry
of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources, to amend the Geothermal Resources Act and/or direct the Oil
and Gas Commission to allow for the cost-effective use of shallow exploratory drilling for geothermal
energy development in British Columbia.
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