SB 1068: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a better understanding of geothermal resources and carbon sequestration potential across the State can have multiple benefits.  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 and carbon sequestration resources across the State.

     The legislature further finds that a statewide environmental assessment for a slim-hole resource characterization 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 conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a slim-hole resource characterization program to identify geothermal and carbon sequestration resources in the State.

     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-    Carbon sequestration; slim-hole resource characterization program.  (a)  The Hawaii state energy office shall conduct a statewide environmental assessment for a slim-hole resource characterization program that identifies the location and characteristics of underground geothermal and carbon sequestration resources across the State.  In accordance with the statewide environmental assessment, the Hawaii state energy office shall administer the slim-hole resource characterization program.

     (b)  Before and during the execution of the environmental assessment and slim-hole resource characterization program, the Hawaii state energy office shall engage with the counties and nearby communities, including individuals and civic organizations, to understand community needs, priorities, and concerns with regard to the program."

     SECTION 3.  The Hawaii state energy office shall submit a progress report to the legislature two years after the slim-hole resource characterization program has commenced and a final report to the legislature at the conclusion of the program.  The findings and reports 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 $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purposes of this Act.

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

     SECTION 5.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position to support the activities of this Act.

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

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

HSEO; Statewide Environmental Assessment; Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program; Reports; Position; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Establishes a position.  Appropriates funds.  (SD1)

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 renewable energy.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a better understanding of geothermal resources and carbon sequestration potential across the State can have multiple benefits.  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 and carbon sequestration resources across the State.

     The legislature further finds that a statewide environmental assessment for a slim-hole resource characterization program should be conducted, along with robust and continued community engagement, in order to identify the most appropriate locations for this scientific activity.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the Hawaii state energy office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a slim-hole resource characterization program to identify geothermal and carbon sequestration resources in the State.

     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-     Carbon sequestration and underground resource characterization program.  (a)  The Hawaii state energy office shall conduct a statewide environmental assessment for a slim-hole resource characterization program that identifies the location and characteristics of underground geothermal and carbon sequestration resources across the State.  In accordance with the statewide environmental assessment, the Hawaii state energy office shall administer the slim-hole resource characterization program.

     (b)  Before and during the environmental assessment and slim-hole resource characterization program, the Hawaii state energy office shall engage with the counties and nearby communities, including individuals and civic organizations, in order to understand community needs, priorities, and concerns with regard to the program."

     SECTION 3.  The Hawaii state energy office shall submit a progress report to the legislature two years after the slim-hole resource characterization program has commenced and a final report to the legislature at the conclusion of the program.  The findings and reports 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 $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purposes of this Act.

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

     SECTION 5.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position to support the activities of this Act.

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

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Hawaii State Energy Office; Statewide Environmental Assessment; Slim-hole Resource Characterization; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program.  Requires reports 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.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 47

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1068

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1068 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program;

     (2)  Require certain reports to the Legislature; and

     (3)  Appropriate funds.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Ulupono Initiative, Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Electric, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that although geothermal exploration can be commercially risky and expensive, the identification of geothermal resources is essential for the State to meet its firm renewable energy needs.  According to testimony received by your Committee, resource characterization through slim-hole bores is a minimally invasive method of gathering data and balances energy development with environmental protection.  Your Committee further finds that requiring the Hawaii State Energy Office to identify potential specific resource locations through the Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program is an appropriate first step to incentivize future private sector investment and the development of state-of-the-art geothermal resources in the State to help meet statutory renewable goals.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1068, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1068, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,