SR 115: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE REGULATORY AND POLICY LANDSCAPE SURROUNDING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY IN HAWAII.

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1546

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 115

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.R. No. 115 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE REGULATORY AND POLICY LANDSCAPE SURROUNDING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii State Energy Office to:

(1) Convene a Geothermal Energy Working Group to evaluate the regulatory and policy landscape surrounding geothermal energy in Hawaii; and

(2) Submit a report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026 .

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Public Utilities Commission; Coalition Earth; Waika Consulting; Ulupono Initiative; and one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Energy Justice Network, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai ʻ i, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that, to progress towards the State's goal of a one hundred percent renewable portfolio standard by 2045, new and innovative approaches must be evaluated. Your Committee recognizes that geothermal energy has the potential to play a significant role in meeting Hawaii's energy objectives of reliability, affordability, and diversification, and that the State could benefit from further evaluation of this renewable energy source. This measure aims to provide a coordinated, transparent, and community-inclusive process to evaluate and identify any clear development pathways for this alternative firm renewable energy resource that aligns with state policy, environmental stewardship, and cultural sensitivity.

Your Committee notes that, although the Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is statutorily mandated to represent, protect, and advance the interests of all consumers of utility services in the State, it is not represented in the current composition of the working group requested to be convened in this measure. Your Committee further acknowledges concerns that the composition of the working group proposed in this measure, in its current form, may not adequately represent the Native Hawaiian community. Your Committee also notes that an extension to the submission date of the report requested by this measure is appropriate to align with the ongoing exploration of geothermal energy resources in the State. Amendments to this measure are therefore necessary to address these concerns.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding the following members to the working group:

(A) The Chairpersons of the Senate and House of Representatives Standing Committees whose subject matter purview includes energy, or their designees;

(B) The Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or the Executive Director's designee; and

(C) A representative from the Native Hawaiian community;

(2) Clarifying that private members of the working group are requested to be invited by the chairperson of the working group ;

(3) Extending the deadline to submit a report to the Legislature to twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

(4) 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 115, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 115, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair

SR 115: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE REGULATORY AND POLICY LANDSCAPE SURROUNDING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY IN HAWAII.

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