§802.  Regulation of exploration, drilling, production and subsurface disposal

Full regulatory authority over all geothermal exploration, drilling, development, and production as well as subsurface disposal of geothermal waters and/or waste is hereby vested in the state Department of Conservation.  The provisions of the Louisiana Conservation Act R.S. 30:1, et seq., including particularly, but without limitation, R.S. 30:5 and R.S. 30:9 thereof, are hereby extended to all geothermal operations.  The commissioner of conservation is further authorized to promulgate such additional rules and regulations relating specifically to geothermal operations that are deemed by him to be needed in the interest of conservation if they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter.  All geothermal operations shall be exempt from the provisions of R.S. 38:3091 et seq.

Any disposal of any kind or nature made pursuant to this Chapter into any navigable or nonnavigable streams or waters shall be done under the supervision of the Stream Control Commission of the state.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 784, §1.  Amended by Acts 1976, No. 134, §1.