Pennsylvania HB2076: An Act providing for geothermal energy development; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; promulgating regulations; establishing the Geothermal Energy Development Fund; and imposing penalties.

What the bill says

An act done by virtue of this act prohibits the Commonwealth, in exercising rights under common or decisional law or in equity, from suppressing a nuisance, abating pollution or enforcing common law or statutory rights. No court of this Commonwealth with jurisdiction to abate public or private nuisances shall be deprived of jurisdiction in an action to abate a private or public nuisance instituted by any person on grounds that the nuisance constitutes air or water pollution. Section 15. Fund. (a) Establishment.--The Geothermal Energy Development Fund is established as a separate fund within th.

From the amended text, April 29, 2026:

an act done by virtue of this act prohibits the Commonwealth, in exercising rights under common or decisional law or in equity, from suppressing a nuisance, abating pollution or enforcing common law or statutory rights. No court of this Commonwealth with jurisdiction to abate public or private nuisances shall be deprived of jurisdiction in an action to abate a private or public nuisance instituted by any person on grounds that the nuisance constitutes air or water pollution. Section 15. Fund. (a) Establishment.--The Geothermal Energy Development Fund is established as a separate fund within the State Treasury. (b) Administration.--The department shall administer the fund. (c) Use of fund.--The fund shall be used 20250HB2076PN3319 - 21 - (2) defraying the department's expenses associated with processing permit applications; (3) regulating geothermal operations and their facilities in this Commonwealth; and (4) decommissioning improperly abandoned facilities. (d) Interest.--Interest earned by the fund shall be deposited into the fund. (e) Bond forfeitures.--Forfeited bonds and other financial security instruments shall be deposited into the fund. (f) Transfer.--Money in the fund may not be transferred to the General Fund or another fund. (g) Penalties.--Penalties imposed for violations of this act or regulations promulgated under this act and funds received by the department from financial responsibility mechanisms shall be remitted to the fund. (h) Fees.--All fees collected by the …