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March 26, 2012

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Contact:          Jeffrey J. Beiriger, Government Relations Advisor

 

                        Wisconsin Water Well Association

 

                        (414) 331-2059

 

                        This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 

GOVERNOR SIGNS GEOTHERMAL LICENSING LEGISLATION

 

ACT 150 Protects groundwater, supports industry

 

 

 

Prairie du Chien, WI - March 26, 2012  On Friday, March 23, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signs Senate Bill 150 into law, becoming 2011 Wisconsin Act 150.  The new law requires the licensure of individuals constructing drill holes used in vertical geothermal heating-cooling systems.  The law also requires the development of construction standards for drill holes used in the vertical geothermal heating-cooling systems. 

 

 

 

Two bills, Assembly Bill 201 and Senate Bill 156 were introduced concurrently in July 2011.  The principal sponsors of the legislation were Representative Alvin Ott (R - Forest Junction) and Senator Neil Kedzie (R - Elkhorn), both of whom have worked extensively on groundwater issues in the past.

 

 

 

Foremost among the groups supporting the legislation was the Wisconsin Water Well Association (WWWA).  The group, based in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, has a mission to "protect and provide" groundwater.  Other groups supporting the legislation include the Wisconsin Geothermal Association, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - Wisconsin Association, Operating Engineers Local 139, and the Construction Business Group. 

 

 

 

Terry Marshall, Marshall Well Drilling in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is a member of the WWWA Board of Directors and testified in support of the legislation.  About the signing of Act 150, he said, "This legislation has been almost four years in the making.  We worked with all of the stakeholders in the industry and came up with a bill that works for everyone.  The unanimous votes in the Assembly and Senate and the Governor's signature tell us that we have created a good piece of legislation."

 

 

 

Bruce Walker, Wisconsin Well & Water Systems in Grand Marsh, Wisconsin, also testified on the bill.  Currently serving as a member of the WWWA Board of Directors and president of the Wisconsin Geothermal Association, Mr. Walker was particularly pleased with the legislation. 

 

 

 

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WWWA/Act 150

 

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"Geothermal systems are a great opportunity for businesses and consumers to save on their heating and cooling costs.  With energy prices being unstable, using the ground for heating and cooling provides unmatched predictability of costs that people really like.  This legislation is a step in the right direction for the geothermal industry."  He continued, "Because many of the companies that drill water wells also construct vertical drill holes, the members of the WWWA know first-hand that providing clean water starts with protecting the groundwater resource.  Act 150 is a responsible way of doing just that."

 

 

 

Marshall noted, "The number of geothermal heating-cooling systems is on the rise in Wisconsin and across the U.S. and that's a very good thing.  We need to remember, however, that the vast majority of the state is relies upon private or public wells to provide the water they need.  Water is a huge driver for our economy, so it's important that we consider how every drill hole - for geothermal or any other purpose - can affect the quality of our water."

 

 

 

Keith Meyers, who served as president of the Wisconsin Water Well Association during the time the legislation was being pursued said, "We were pleased to have been able to work with Representative Ott, Senator Kedzie and the Walker administration to pass this important legislation and proud to have secured the unanimous support of the legislature and the cooperation of the DNR."  Asked about the process, he stated, "There was always  agreement that we needed to do something to protect the groundwater, so we were able to focus instead on how to best accomplish that.  Act 150 is exactly what we needed in Wisconsin."

 

The Wisconsin Water Well Association and its members promote and support the interest of the water well industry in Wisconsin; promote improved health and safety through improved methods of water well construction and development; and promote harmony and cooperation among members, government agencies, and the general public in the protection of underground water supplies. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOVERNOR SIGNS GEOTHERMAL LICENSING LEGISLATION

 

ACT 150 Protects groundwater, supports industry

 

 

 

On Friday, March 23, 2012, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed Act 150 (2011 Senate Bill 156) into law at a ceremony held at Grandad Bluff Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Pictured with Governor Walker are members and staff from the Wisconsin Water Well Association.  State Senator Jennifer Shilling is also pictured (second from left).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left to Right

 

Bruce Walker, Wisconsin Wells & Water Systems (Grand Marsh, WI)

 

Jennifer Shilling, Wisconsin State Senator

 

Joe Dutton, Milwaukee Stove (La Crosse, WI)

 

Jeffrey J. Beiriger, Association/Management Services, Inc. (East Troy, WI)

 

Scott Walker, Governor of the State of Wisconsin

 

Cynthia Denman, WWWA (Prairie du Chien, WI)

 

Gary Kuhn, S & K Pump & Plumbing (Brookfield, WI)

 

Terry Marshall, Marshall Well Drilling (Wisconsin Dells, WI)

 

Jason Hintze, Hintzke Well Drilling (New London, WI)

 

David Haupt, Haupt Well & Pump Company (Auburndale, WI)