Montana Title 90. Planning, Research, and Development § 90-3-1301. Geothermal research

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Montana bureau of mines and geology may conduct geothermal research that:

(2) If the research is conducted on private property, the bureau must have written agreements with:

(3) If the utility with a service area nearest the research site intends to develop the site for future commercial use, the utility shall:

(4) If the utility with a service area nearest the research site does not intend to develop the site for commercial use, the utility with a service area next nearest the site may enter into a written agreement pursuant to subsection (2)(b). If a utility does not intend to develop the site for future commercial use, the agreement pursuant to subsection (2)(b) is not required.

(5) In determining the utility with a service area nearest the site, all measurements must be made on the shortest vector that can be drawn from the line nearest the service area to the nearest portion of the geothermal site.

(6) The bureau shall provide a report to the energy and telecommunications interim committee in accordance with 5-11-210 on research conducted pursuant to this section and funding received pursuant to 90-3-1302.