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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2499 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
ReLATING tO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature also finds that resource characterization through slim-hole bores with a diameter of seven inches or less for over ninety per cent of the depth of the bore can identify water and carbon sequestration resources across the state.
The legislature further finds that a statewide environmental assessment of a slim-hole exploration program should be conducted, along with robust and continued community engagement, to identify the most appropriate locations for this scientific activity.
(b) The Hawaii state energy office shall prepare an environmental assessment or, if required, an environmental impact statement for the proposed program that shall be prepared and accepted in compliance with the rules adopted under chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
(c) Before and during the environmental assessment and the implementation of the slim-hole resource characterization program, the Hawaii state energy office, with support from the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, shall engage with the counties and nearby communities, including individuals and civic organizations, to understand community needs, priorities, and concerns relating to the program.
(d)
The Hawaii state energy office shall submit a progress report on the slim-hole
resource characterization program, including its findings, recommendations, and
any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to
the convening of the regular session of 2027. The report shall be made available to the
public in readily accessible formats, including commonly used mapping software.
SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:
(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the
energy security special fund the sum of $
or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the implementation
of the slim-hole resource characterization program, including for the preparation
of an environmental assessment or, if required, an environmental impact
statement for the proposed program.
The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the
purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $135,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position to support the activities described by this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Hawaii State Energy Office; University of Hawaii; Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resource Center; Water Resources; Geothermal Exploration; Slim-hole Resource Characterization Program; Environmental Assessment; Environmental Impact Statement; Report; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriations
Description:
Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to implement a Slim-hole Resource Characterization Program that identifies the location and characteristics of underground water and carbon sequestration resources across the State under the direction of the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center at the University of Hawaii. Requires the Office to prepare an environmental assessment or, if required, an environmental impact statement for the program. Requires the Office to engage with the counties and nearby communities to understand community needs, priorities, and concerns relating to the program before and during the environmental assessment and the program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Make appropriations.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.