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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3081 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The
legislature further finds that resource characterization via slim-hole bores,
which have a diameter of seven inches or less for over ninety per cent of the
depth of the bore, can help identify geologic features associated with clean
energy resources. Environmental
assessments should be conducted before any energy projects are developed, with
robust and continued community engagement facilitated by unbiased energy
information.
At
the same time, changes to federal funding for lifesaving health care and
nutrition assistance have placed short-term constraints on state funds. Given these limitations, and recognizing that
significant investments are needed to determine how geothermal energy can
improve the lives of residents, this Act provides more modest fiscal support
for one or two additional slim-hole characterization wells.
The
purpose of this Act is to require the Hawaii state
energy office to continue supporting geothermal exploration resource
characterization via slim-hole characterization wells, in collaboration with
the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center at the university of
Hawaii.
SECTION
2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding to part I a new section to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:
"§196- Underground
energy resource characterization program.
(a) There is established
the underground energy resource characterization program within the Hawaii
state energy office in collaboration with the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal
resources center at the university of Hawaii to identify the location and
characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration
resources across the State using the slim-hole boring method.
(b) Upon finding of a resource that could support
the development of geothermal energy, the Hawaii state energy office shall seek
funds to conduct an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement
for the program's actions pursuant to chapter 343. The assessment or impact statement shall be
conducted in collaboration with the appropriate state agencies, including the
department of land and natural resources and department of health, and shall
include input from Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners.
(c) The Hawaii state energy office shall compile
and share information on the role of geothermal energy in achieving energy
self-sufficiency across the State. The
information shall be grounded in the context of commercially available
technology and address both opportunities and potential concerns, including
cultural, economic, and land use considerations.
(d)
The Hawaii state energy office shall submit
an annual report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of each regular session, on recent developments in geothermal energy
technology and activities in other states."
SECTION
3. The Hawaii state energy office shall
submit a progress report on the underground energy resource characterization
program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of
the regular session of 2028. The report
shall be made available to the public in readily accessible formats, including
commonly used mapping software.
SECTION 4. There
is appropriated out of the energy security special fund the sum of $6,000,000 or
so much thereof as may be necessary for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to carry out
the purposes of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the
Hawaii state energy office.
SECTION 5. New statutory
material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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BY
REQUEST |
Report Title:
Hawaii State Energy Office; Water Resources; Geothermal Exploration; University of Hawaii; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of underground energy resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires a report to the legislature. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.