STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2166

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2518

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 2518 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXPLORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate moneys to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation for geothermal energy exploration; and

(2) Require surface and subsurface exploration and community outreach.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, Ulupono Initiative, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Blue Planet Foundation, Hawaiian Electric, and nine individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Na Iwi Kupuna and four individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office and one individual.

Your Committee finds that to progress towards the State's goal of a one hundred percent renewable portfolio standard by 2045, new and innovative approaches must be explored. Geothermal is clean source of energy, with emissions as low as solar, wind, and hydropower. The State also faces many competing demands for land and geothermal projects use the least amount of land per megawatt of renewable power produced. Your Committee further finds that by investing in geothermal energy and outreach, the State can reduce its carbon footprint and help create a more sustainable future.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of January 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2518, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2518, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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LYNN DECOITE, Chair