Geothermal industry’s groundwater ‘loophole’ scrutinized

By: Jeniffer Solis

Outlets: Nevada Current

Published: February 3, 2026

Words: 1,084

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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Nevada lawmakers are working to revive a bill that would require state water regulators to take a closer look at how geothermal operations impact groundwater during the permitting process.

Farmers and hard-rock mining companies that pump groundwater are required to apply for permits under Nevada law, but current statutory framework exempts some industrial groundwater users from the permit process as long as they return the water they pump back into the ground.

Assembly Bill …

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