SB 1339: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL 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 potential of carbon sequestration and the location and temperature of underground water resources across the State can have multiple benefits to agriculture, clean energy, and land use.

     The legislature also 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 water and carbon sequestration resources across the State.

     The legislature further 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 underground water and carbon sequestration resources across the State under the direction of 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-    Carbon sequestration and underground water resource characterization program.  (a)  There is established the carbon sequestration and underground water resource characterization program within the Hawaii state energy office to identify the location and characteristics of underground water and carbon sequestration 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)  In advance of and during the statewide environmental assessment for the carbon sequestration and underground water resource characterization program activities, the Hawaii state energy office and its collaborators shall meet with the counties and nearby communities, including individuals and civic organizations, 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 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 2028.  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 established under section 201-12.8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the sum of $16,500,000 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 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $135,000 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, to establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position to support the activities described by this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on May 13, 2040.

Report Title:

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

Description:

Establishes a statewide underground water and carbon sequestration resource characterization program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment.  Effective 5/13/2040.  (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 A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL 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 the location and temperature of underground water resources across the State can have multiple benefits to agriculture, clean energy, and land use.

     The legislature also 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 water and carbon sequestration resources across the state.

     The legislature further 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 underground water and carbon sequestration resources across the State under the direction of 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-     Carbon sequestration and underground water resource characterization program.  (a)  There is established the carbon sequestration and underground water resource characterization program within the Hawaii state energy office to identify the location and characteristics of underground water and carbon sequestration 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)  In advance of and during the statewide environmental assessment for the 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 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 2028.  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 established in section 201-12.8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the sum of $16,500,000 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 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $135,000 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 described by this Act.

     The sums 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, 2025.

Report Title:

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

Description:

Establishes a statewide underground water and carbon sequestration resource characterization program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment.

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. 235

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1339

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1339 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Hawaii State Energy Office to establish a Carbon Sequestration and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program (Program);

     (2)  Require a progress report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2028;

     (3)  Appropriate funds out of the Energy Security Special Fund; and

     (4)  Appropriate funds to establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Energy Office; and Ulupono Initiative.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu.

     Your Committees find that resource characterization through slim-hole test wells is a high priority of Hawaii's updated energy strategy as the wells identify geothermal and carbon sequestration resources necessary to meet the State's energy decarbonization goals.  Your Committees recognize that geothermal exploration and identification require significant investment of upfront capital.  This measure serves to overcome obstacles that have limited the State from fully developing its geothermal potential by establishing a statewide Carbon Sequestration and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of May 13, 2040, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1339, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1339, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment,