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.
SR115 is a Senate Resolution requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a Geothermal Energy Working Group to examine the state’s regulatory and policy framework for geothermal development. The resolution frames geothermal as a potentially important firm, dispatchable renewable resource that could help Hawaii meet its 2045 clean energy goals, improve grid resilience, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and lower energy costs.
The working group is directed to identify barriers to geothermal development, review best practices from other jurisdictions, assess expansion potential, and recommend policy and regulatory reforms. It must also submit a report, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature before the 2027 Regular Session. The resolution specifies a broad membership that includes state agencies, county planning departments, the University of Hawaii, utilities, industry, NGOs, and Native Hawaiian representation, reflecting an intent to create a multi-stakeholder process.
Because SR115 is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not directly amend the Hawaii Revised Statutes or create new regulatory requirements. Its practical effect is to direct the Hawaii State Energy Office to organize an interagency and community-based working group and to produce findings and recommendations that could inform future legislation, permitting changes, land-use policy, and energy planning. The resolution also signals legislative interest in geothermal development as part of Hawaii’s renewable energy strategy, especially on Hawaii Island and in neighbor island energy systems.
The overall sentiment appears supportive and proactive. The resolution cites strong public support for renewable energy, the state’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, and the need for local firm renewable resources, suggesting broad policy momentum behind exploring geothermal energy. The committee vote provided in the record was unanimous in the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, with the measure passing 4-0 with amendments, indicating favorable consideration rather than controversy at that stage.
The main points of contention are not expressed in recorded testimony here, but the resolution itself identifies the likely areas of debate: regulatory uncertainty, permitting delays, land use restrictions, public concerns, environmental stewardship, and cultural sensitivity. Those issues imply that stakeholders may differ over how quickly geothermal should be expanded, where projects should be located, and how to balance energy development with community, Native Hawaiian, and environmental interests. The inclusion of Native Hawaiian, county planning, health, land, utility, and consumer advocacy representatives suggests the Legislature expects these concerns to be central to the working group’s work.