Geothermal Alliance of IllinoisFebruary 28-29, 2012

Dave Johnson, P.E.

Illinois Department of Public Health

Closed Loop Well Legislation

Registration of closed loop well contractors

Permitting of closed loop well systemsEstablishment of Closed Loop

Contractors Certification BoardPassed both Houses on 5-18-2011Sent to Governor on 6-16-2011Governor signed the legislation August

15, 2011 to make the legislation into law

House Bill 0308 – Closed Loop Well Legislation

Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor’s License Act

Illinois Water Well Construction Code

HB 0308 Amends

“Closed loop well” means a sealed, watertight loop of pipe buried outside of a building foundation intended to recirculate a liquid solution through a heat exchanger but is limited to the construction of the bore hole and the grouting of the bore hole and does not include the piping and appurtenances used in any other capacity. “Closed loop well” does not include any horizontal closed well systems where grouting is not necessary by law or standard industry practices.

Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor’s License Act - Definitions

“Closed loop well contractor” means any person who installs closed loop wells for another person. “Closed loop well contractor” does not include the employee of a closed loop contractor.

Definitions (con’t)

Work with Closed Loop Well Contractors Certification Board regardingRegistration and certification of

closed loop well contractorsFor purposes of this item, the term

“closed loop well” shall be limited to the construction, installation, repair, and abandonment of the bore hole and the grouting of the bore hole.

Water Well and Pump Installation Contractors Licensing Board – Added Duties

Six members Temporary Board for 2 yearsAppointed by Department with recommendations of organizations that are representative of the closed loop well industry in Illinois

Perform duties as specified in the Act

Closed Loop Well Contractors Certification Board

Temporary Board to remain in place until 2 years after the effective date of the Act March 16 2013

After that there will new members appointed who are certified and registered closed loop well contractors

Closed Loop Well Contractors Certification Board (con’t)

Preparing subject matter for continuing education sessions relating to closed loop wells

Preparing examinations for the certification of closed loop well contractors

Adopting rulesHolding examinationsHolding hearings

Certification Board Duties – Advise and Aid the Director

Grading all examinations for certification

Work with the Water Well and Pump Installation Contractors Licensing Board regarding the construction, installation, repair, and abandonment of closed loop wells.

Certification Board Duties (con’t)

Make application for certification by the Department

Examination fee

Pass qualification examination

Contractors have up to two years, following the effective date of the Act, to become certified

Certification of Closed Loop Well Contractors

Licensed water well contractors may apply and receive certification without examination or fee

Any person who installs horizontal closed loop wells using the open trench method shall be exempt from certification

Certification examinations will start sometime in 2012

Certification of Closed Loop Well Contractors (con’t)

All closed loop well contractors must file an application for registration with the Department

Applications must include:Verification of certification by an

organization approved by the Department in its appropriateness in determining the knowledge and expertise as a closed loop Contractor, e.g., National Ground Water Association, International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, Possibly others

Closed Loop Well Contractor - Registration

Contractors have up to one year*, following the effective date of the Act, to become certified by the outside organization

Application for registration must also include proof of passing the certification examination, or exempt from certification as a licensed water well contractor

Registrations must be renewed annuallyAnnual renewal fee (set by rule)

Registration (con’t)

Issue permits for the construction, modification, and abandonment of closed loop wells.

Most likely issue permits for closed loop well systems

Permit fee to be established by ruleIssuance of permits will start

sometime in 2012*

Closed Loop Well System Permits

Modification of water wells

Abandonment of water wells

Fee - $100

Change in Water Well Permit Requirements for

Develop rules (Illinois Water Well Construction Code)

FormsApplication for certificationApplication for registrationApplication for permit to construct, modify, or

abandon a closed loop well systemClosed loop well construction reportClosed loop well abandonment reportInspection reportAdd well abandonment to water well permit

application

What’s Ahead?

Comments and Questions