§ 255-262.   Geothermal energy systems.
are permitted as an in all zoning districts subject to the following specific criteria:
   A.    , and bulk requirements.
      (1)   All parts of a , including subsurface pads, shall comply with all required setbacks applicable to in the zoning district in which the system is located.
      (2)   Above-ground equipment associated with are prohibited in front and along any frontage.
      (3)    shall not encroach upon any or easement including, but not limited to, water, stormwater, , natural gas, telephone, and electrical easements.
      (4)    shall be set back at least 15 feet from stormwater management facilities.
      (5)      and wells shall comply with applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations with respect to setbacks and isolation distances.
   B.   Design and installation requirements.
      (1)   Only the following types of shall be permitted:
         (a)    .
         (b)    .
      (2)   Open loop are prohibited with the exception of in which water is circulated from and back to the same , in which case such open loop may be permitted with conditional approval in all zoning districts subject to demonstration by the applicant for conditional approval that the proposed site for the has the requisite geological and groundwater properties for the proper functioning of the system.
      (3)   The design and installation of and related wells, and trenches shall conform to applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, and applicable industry standards, including those of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), and other similar certifying organizations.
      (4)   For all closed loop geothermal systems relying upon circulating fluids, only nontoxic, biodegradable circulating fluids such as food grade propylene glycol shall be permitted.
      (5)   All horizontal closed loop systems shall be no more than 20 feet deep.
      (6)    shall be designed and constructed to provide an effective watertight seal with the casing to prevent contamination from reaching groundwater sources. must be grouted from bottom to top with cement, bentonite, or other appropriate material to prevent surface communication with groundwater.
      (7)    shall be installed in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local and earth disturbance codes and regulations, including regulations with respect to , wells, and stormwater management.
   C.   Operation and .
      (1)    shall be operated in compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.
   D.   Decommissioning requirements.
      (1)   If a remains unserviceable for a continuous period of one year, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a public nuisance. The owner shall remove or seal the system within six months of abandonment after a demolition has been obtained in accordance with the following:
         (a)   Any aboveground mechanical equipment, wiring, piping, coils, and other components shall be removed.
         (b)   Underground pipes or coils should be removed and the resulting void space filled, or if abandoned in place, underground pipes and coils shall be filled with grout to displace the heat transfer fluid. The top of any pipe, coil or boring shall be uncovered and grouted.
         (c)   Heat transfer fluid shall be captured and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.
      (2)   When a is removed, any disturbed earth as a result of the removal of the system shall be restored, graded and reseeded.