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.
H.R. 54 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a Geothermal Energy Working Group to examine the regulatory and policy landscape for geothermal development in Hawaii. The resolution frames geothermal energy as a potentially important firm, dispatchable renewable resource that could help Hawaii meet its 100% renewable portfolio standard, improve grid resilience, and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The working group would include state officials, legislative committee chairs, county planning representatives, the Public Utilities Commission, the Hawaiian Homes Commission, the University of Hawaii’s geothermal resources center, an electric utility, the geothermal industry, and an energy-policy NGO. Its tasks would be to identify regulatory, policy, and permitting barriers; review best practices from other jurisdictions, including Pacific island countries such as New Zealand; assess geothermal expansion potential; and recommend reforms to create a clearer development pathway. The Energy Office would then report findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature before the 2027 session.
Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending statutes, H.R. 54 does not directly change Hawaii Revised Statutes or create new regulatory requirements. Its practical effect would be to initiate an interagency and stakeholder review process led by the Hawaii State Energy Office, with possible downstream influence on energy, land use, permitting, health, utility, and Hawaiian homelands policy. The resolution specifically contemplates recommendations for future legislation, so its main legal impact is preparatory and advisory rather than immediate.
The overall sentiment reflected in the resolution is strongly supportive of geothermal energy as part of Hawaii’s clean energy transition. The findings emphasize statewide support for renewable energy, the need for local energy resources, and the benefits of geothermal for reliability, affordability, and resilience. No committee votes or transcript discussions were provided, so there is no recorded opposition or amendment debate in the available materials.
The resolution acknowledges that geothermal development in Hawaii has been slowed by regulatory uncertainty, permitting challenges, land use restrictions, and public concerns. Those issues suggest the main areas of contention are likely to be environmental review, land use compatibility, cultural sensitivity, community acceptance, and the balance between faster project development and careful oversight. The inclusion of county planning agencies, health officials, the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and community/industry representatives indicates an effort to address those concerns through a broad, inclusive process rather than a narrow technical review.