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ARTICLE · 26 AUGUST 2022

Alberta Finalizes New Geothermal Regulatory Regime With Directive 089

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
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Geothermal energy — heat from deep below the Earth's surface — is increasingly being sourced to provide heat and energy in the place of conventional fossil fuels, and is likely to play...

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Sander Duncanson
Sander Duncanson
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Background

Geothermal energy — heat from deep below the Earth's surface — is increasingly being sourced to provide heat and energy in the place of conventional fossil fuels, and is likely to play an important role in achieving provincial and federal net-zero goals in Canada. Alberta has been working to establish a detailed regulatory regime to support growth in the geothermal industry, as we discussed in prior posts in 2020 (which also provides an overview of Alberta's geothermal resources) and 2022.

Most recently, on August 15, 2022, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) released Directive 089: Geothermal Resource Development (Directive 089), which sets out specific requirements for geothermal wells, facilities and pipelines in Alberta. Directive 089 follows the creation of the Geothermal Resource Development Rules (GRDR) on June 30, 2022. Together, the GRDR and Directive 089 set out requirements for developing geothermal resources "below the base of groundwater

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