STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2828

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3081

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to require the Hawaii State Energy Office to continue supporting geothermal exploration resource characterization in collaboration with the University of Hawaii.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes 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 geothermal and carbon sequestration resources through slim-hole drilling;

(2) Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to compile and share information on the role of geothermal energy in achieving energy self-sufficiency and to submit annual progress reports to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriates moneys out of the Energy Security Special Fund to support the program and its activities.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Energy Office; Ulupono Initiative; and six individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, KahuPuna, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that conducting research via slim-hole test wells to identify where geothermal resources are likely to exist is a high priority of Hawaii's updated energy strategy. By helping to locate these resources, the program established by this measure promises to stimulate private sector investment in safe, reliable, and affordable firm renewable energy that can make Hawaii energy more self-sufficient, reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions, and create jobs.

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. 3081, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair