Dominica

Geothermal Resources Development Act, 2016

Legislative

Law

Passed in 2016

The Geothermal Resources Development Act of 2016 provides legal basis for the development, exploration and use of geothermal resources. It replaces the Geothermal Energy Act of 1976. The Act's objectives are to 1) enable the sustainable use of geothermal energy according to Dominica's population needs, 2) safeguard the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil and ecosystems, and 3) avoid remedying or mitigating to any material with adverse effects on the environment.

The Act establishes the Geothermal Resources Advisory Committee and details its duties and attributions. It determines the rules relating to geothermal activities including the creation, acquisition, transfer, exercise and termination of rights. It stipulates that a geothermal resource is sui generis property, but it is "not a mineral, nor a water resource, nor a real property". Activities must only developed in special geothermal zones set out by the Minister in accordance with the Committee.

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