Rulemaking for Bored Geothermal Heat Exchanger

In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature amended Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103I, to include regulating all bored geothermal heat exchangers (BGHE), not just vertically bored geothermal exchangers. Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103I does not regulate geothermal systems installed by excavation or trenching.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) revised Minnesota Rules, chapter 4725 (Wells and Borings) to reflect the 2013 statutory amendments and to accommodate varying BGHE installation methods. The rule revisions were published in the Minnesota State Register. The new rules are effective as of March 22, 2021.

Notice of Adoption as published on March 15, 2021, in the Minnesota State Register Volume 45, Number 37 (Page 988)
Minnesota State Register, Volume 45, Number 37 (PDF)

Revision documents

Summary of rule changes
Summary of Rules effective March 22, 2021 (PDF) (March 18, 2021)

Revised rules indicating added and deleted language
Permanent Rules Governing Wells and Borings – Changes Effective March 22, 2021 (PDF) (February 26, 2021)

Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules as published on June 29, 2020, in the Minnesota State Register Volume 44, Number 53 (Page 1527)
Minnesota State Register, Volume 44, Number 53 (PDF)
(No comments or hearing requests were received during the June 29, 2020, to July 31, 2020, comment period.)

SONAR for the Bored Geothermal Heat Exchanger Rules 
Statement of Need and Reasonableness (PDF) (June 2020)

Revisors Office
Proposed Permanent Rules Governing Wells and Borings (PDF) (April 22, 2020)

Request for Comments as published on July 24, 2017, in the Minnesota State Register Volume 42, Number 4  (Page 61)
Minnesota State Register, Volume 42, Number 4  (PDF)

Request for Comments as published on August 6, 2013, in the Minnesota State Register Volume 38, Number 6  (Page 192)
Minnesota State Register, Volume 38, Number 6  (PDF)

Rulemaking contacts

Questions regarding the rulemaking process or the revised rules may be directed to:

Well Management Section
Minnesota Department of Health
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975

wellrules.mdh@state.mn.us
651-201-4600 or 800-393-9808