STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1216-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3081

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 3081, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for an Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration resources using the slim-hole boring method; and

(2) Require a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Energy Office; Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi; Ulupono Initiative; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that a better understanding of geothermal and carbon sequestration resources can provide substantial benefits to agriculture, clean energy, and land use. Your Committee further finds that resource characterization via slim-hole bores can help identify geological features associated with these resources. This measure supports the State's ongoing efforts to identify cleaner, alternative energy sources by establishing a program and appropriating funds for the identification of geothermal and carbon sequestration resources via slim hole characterization wells.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3081, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3081, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair