HB 1981: Hawaii State Energy Office; Carbon Sequestration; Water Resources; Geothermal Exploration; Appropriations

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND GEOTHERMAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a better understanding of the carbon sequestration potential and location and temperature of geothermal and underground water resources across the State can have multiple benefits to agriculture, clean energy, and land use.

     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 identify geothermal, carbon sequestration, and water resources across the State.

     The legislature additionally 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.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the Hawaii state energy office to implement a slim-hole resource characterization program that identifies the location and characteristics of geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resources across the State 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 a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§196-     Geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resource characterization program.  (a)  There is established the geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resource characterization program within the Hawaii state energy office to identify the location and characteristics of geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resources across the State using the slim-hole boring exploration method.  The Hawaii state energy office shall implement the program in collaboration with the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center at the university of Hawaii or similar institution.

     (b)  Upon finding a geothermal, carbon sequestration, or underground water resource, 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)  Before and during the statewide environmental assessment for the geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resource characterization program activities, the Hawaii state energy office and collaborators shall meet with the counties and nearby communities, including individuals and civic organizations, in order to explain the purpose of the program and identify community needs, priorities, concerns, and appropriate locations to conduct the slim-hole boring for the characterization program.

     (d)  The Hawaii state energy office shall submit an annual report on the status of geothermal resource identification and development potential in the State, including information about developments in geothermal energy technology, activities in other states or in the counties, and geothermal energy's role in achieving energy self-sufficiency in the State.  The report shall be made available to the public in readily accessible formats, including commonly used mapping software."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the energy security special fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Hawaii State Energy Office; Carbon Sequestration; Water Resources; Geothermal Exploration; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes a Geothermal, Carbon Sequestration, and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment.  Appropriates funds for the program.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to a program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and geothermal and underground water resources statewide.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a better understanding of the carbon sequestration potential and location and temperature of geothermal and underground water resources across the State can have multiple benefits to agriculture, clean energy, and land use.

     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 identify geothermal, carbon sequestration, and water resources across the State.

     The legislature additionally 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.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the Hawaii state energy office to implement a slim-hole resource characterization program that identifies the location and characteristics of geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resources across the State 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 a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§196-     Geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resource characterization program.  (a)  There is established the geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resource characterization program within the Hawaii state energy office to identify the location and characteristics of geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resources across the State using the slim-hole boring exploration method.  The Hawaii state energy office shall implement the program, which shall include conducting a statewide environmental assessment of the program's actions pursuant to chapter 343, in collaboration with the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center at the university of Hawaii or similar institution.

     (b)  Before and during the statewide environmental assessment for the geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resource characterization program activities, the Hawaii state energy office and collaborators shall meet with the counties and nearby communities, including individuals and civic organizations, in order to explain the purpose of the program and identify community needs, priorities, concerns, and appropriate locations to conduct the slim-hole boring for the characterization program.

     (c)  The Hawaii state energy office shall submit a progress report on the geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water 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 2029.  The report shall be made available to the public in readily accessible formats, including commonly used mapping software."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the energy security special fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for      full-time equivalent (     FTE) permanent 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 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Hawaii State Energy Office; Carbon Sequestration; Water Resources; Geothermal Exploration; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes a Geothermal, Carbon Sequestration, and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment.  Appropriates funds for the program and positions to support the program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  312-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1981

      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 H.B. No. 1981 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND GEOTHERMAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a Geothermal, Carbon Sequestration, and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the Program and positions to support the Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Hawaii State Energy Office; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; and four individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Malu ʻAina Center for Non-violent Education & Action; Kiaʻi Iwi Alakaʻi; Truth for the People Moku O Keawe; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi.

     Your Committee finds that a better understanding of the location and characteristics of geothermal, carbon sequestration, and underground water resources would have significant benefits for the State's agriculture, clean energy, and land use.  This measure establishes a program and appropriates funds to ensure that these resources can be identified, with necessary precautions and opportunities for stakeholder input through environmental assessment and community engagement requirements.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the Hawaii State Energy Office must seek funds to conduct an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement in collaboration with appropriate state agencies, rather than with the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center at the University of Hawaii;

     (2)  Changing the reporting requirements to an indefinite, annual basis and amending the required contents of the reports;

     (3)  Removing the appropriation for the permanent position and inserting a new general fund appropriation of an unspecified amount for the program;

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

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

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider:

     (1)  An appropriation amount of $6,000,000 out of the Energy Security Special Fund; and

     (2)  An appropriation of general revenues for the Geothermal, Carbon Sequestration, and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program, if funds are available.

     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 H.B. No. 1981, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1981, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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