RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

SB1068

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1068

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to renewable energy
.

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

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

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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.

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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.

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SECTION
2.
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Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

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"
�196-
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Carbon sequestration and underground
resource characterization program.
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(a)
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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.
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In accordance with the statewide
environmental assessment, the Hawaii state energy office shall administer the
slim-hole resource characterization program.

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(b)
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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.
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SECTION 3.
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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.
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The
findings and reports shall be made available to the public in readily
accessible formats, including commonly used mapping software.

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SECTION
4.
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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.

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The sums

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

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SECTION
5.
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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.

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The sums

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

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SECTION 6.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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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.
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Requires reports to the Legislature.
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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.