§ 5-603

(a) The Department shall be responsible for the management and regulation of the geothermal resources in the State.

(b) The Department may contract for research and scientific investigation in order to determine the potential of the geothermal resources in the State.

(c) The Department may conduct and participate in development projects designed to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the State’s geothermal resources.

(d) The Department may use any funds made available for the purpose of exploring, analyzing, developing, and using geothermal resources.

(e) The Department may establish reasonable fees to cover the cost of processing permit applications.

(f) The Department shall adopt regulations necessary to assure safe and efficient undertaking of any operation to bore, core, dig, or construct a well. These regulations may allow for reinjection if there is adequate determination that the reinjection would maintain the integrity of the supply.

(g) The Department may adopt regulations necessary to implement this subtitle.