Geothermal Energy Regulation

Abstract

The paper will examine regulation which affects the geothermal industry on a national basis. The examination will cover 5 primary fields: • the capacity to regulate the geothermal industry nationally; • the lack of consistency in current State based geothermal legislation; • the regulation of simultaneous geothermal and mining or petroleum operations • the lack of a consistent approach across jurisdictions to application of other legislation to the geothermal sector • the adequacy of other legislation which affects the geothermal sector. Each of these fields will be considered by reference to actual examples. In relation to the 4th area of focus, particular attention will be given to the question of land access and the application of the right to negotiate procedure under the Native Title Act to geothermal operations.