STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2813

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2518

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2518, S.D. 1, 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 appropriate moneys to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation for geothermal energy exploration, including both surface and subsurface exploration, and for community engagement.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Ulupono Initiative; Innovation Development Group, Inc.; Blue Planet Foundation; Hawaiian Electric; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Indigenous Consultants; and three individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that geothermal energy was identified as both a near-term and mid-term decarbonization opportunity in the Hawaii Pathways to Decarbonization Report, submitted to the Legislature prior to the start of the Regular Session of 2024. Your Committee believes geothermal energy has the potential to play a significant role in meeting Hawaii's energy objectives of reliability, affordability, and diversification, and that the State could benefit from further exploration of this renewable energy source.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2518, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2518, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair