STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 0 2 2025
RE: S.C.R. No. 136
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.C.R. No. 136 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT 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.
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Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this
measure from the Energy Justice Network, Environmental Caucus of
the Democratic Party of Hawai‘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.
TXmendments 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;
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(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.C.R. No. 136, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption
in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 136, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Energy and
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 The Senate
Thirty-Third Legislature
State of Hawaii
Record of Votes
Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
EiG
Bill / Resolution No.;* Committee Referral: Date:
EI& ■s/zs/zs-
__ The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to: ______________________________________
The Recommendation is;
__ Pass, unamended 0 Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
2312 2311_______________ 2310_________2313
Members Aye Aye (WR) Nay Excused
WAKAI, Glenn (C)
CHANG, Stanley (VC)
DECOITE, Lynn
RICHARDS. Ill, Herbert M. “Tim"
FEVELLA, Kurt
TOTAL 4- I
Recommendation;
Adopted __ Not Adopted
Chair’s or Designee’s Signature;
Distribution: Original Yellow Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report Clerk's Office Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised; 12/09/24