The Department shall:

1. Consult with the Board in carrying out all of its duties and responsibilities pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;

2. Develop a comprehensive geothermal permitting system for the Commonwealth, which shall provide for the exploration and development of geothermal resources;

3. Promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to provide for geothermal drilling and the exploration and development of geothermal resources in the Commonwealth; such rules and regulations shall be based on a system of correlative rights;

4. Establish minimum temperature levels and volumetric rates in order to determine Department jurisdiction over geothermal resource development. In establishing such temperature levels (i) the Department shall set minimum temperature levels for permitting, well regulations, reservoir management, and allocation of the geothermal resource; and (ii) the Department shall set minimum volumetric rates for geothermal leasing, royalties and severance taxes, as necessary. The Department shall also be responsible for reviewing the established temperature level and volumetric rate requirements biennially and revising the figures as necessary. Revision of temperature levels or volumetric rate requirements shall not occur more often than every two years and such revision shall not operate retroactively; and

5. Consult with the State Department of Health, as necessary, to protect potable waters of the Commonwealth and in carrying out its duties and responsibilities pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

1981, c. 506.