Geothermal Alliance of Illinois February 28-29, 2012 Dave Johnson, P.E. Illinois Department of Public Health

 Registration of closed loop well contractors  Permitting of closed loop well systems  Establishment of Closed Loop Contractors Certification Board  Passed both Houses on  Sent to Governor on  Governor signed the legislation August 15, 2011 to make the legislation into law

 Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor’s License Act  Illinois Water Well Construction Code

“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.

“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.

 Work with Closed Loop Well Contractors Certification Board regarding  Registration and certification of closed loop well contractors  For 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.

 Six members  Temporary Board for 2 years  Appointed by Department with recommendations of organizations that are representative of the closed loop well industry in Illinois  Perform duties as specified in the Act

 Temporary Board to remain in place until 2 years after the effective date of the Act March  After that there will new members appointed who are certified and registered closed loop well contractors

 Preparing subject matter for continuing education sessions relating to closed loop wells  Preparing examinations for the certification of closed loop well contractors  Adopting rules  Holding examinations  Holding hearings

 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.

 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

 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

 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

 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 annually  Annual renewal fee (set by rule)

 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 rule  Issuance of permits will start sometime in 2012*

 Modification of water wells  Abandonment of water wells  Fee - $100

 Develop rules (Illinois Water Well Construction Code)  Forms  Application for certification  Application for registration  Application for permit to construct, modify, or abandon a closed loop well system  Closed loop well construction report  Closed loop well abandonment report  Inspection report  Add well abandonment to water well permit application