SB993 would create a new geothermal resources characterization program within chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and assign the Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) responsibility for carrying it out. The bill requires HSEO, under the direction of the University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center, to conduct a statewide environmental assessment to identify the location and characteristics of underground geothermal resources across the state. It also requires the office to set a timeline and success metrics for the assessment, incorporate traditional ecological knowledge, and determine how the resulting data will be used for future exploration, development, or public dissemination.
The measure also directs HSEO to recommend protocols for moving from exploration to development, including permitting and regulatory process recommendations. In addition, it requires engagement with counties and nearby communities, including Native Hawaiian organizations, cultural practitioners, civic organizations, and local leaders, so that community concerns about land use and cultural impacts are incorporated into the program. The bill appropriates $6 million in each of fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 from general revenues to fund the assessment and program administration.
Impact
If enacted, SB993 would add a new statutory mandate in chapter 196 requiring HSEO to lead a statewide geothermal resource assessment and characterization effort in partnership with the University of Hawaii. It would also create a dedicated two-year general-fund appropriation totaling $12 million and establish a framework for collecting, evaluating, and potentially sharing geothermal resource data. The bill would not itself authorize geothermal development, but it would shape future policy by generating site data and recommending permitting and regulatory pathways for possible transition from exploration to development.
Sentiment
The available record suggests generally supportive or at least forward-looking sentiment toward geothermal planning and energy resource development, as reflected by the bill’s focus on statewide assessment, university partnership, and funding. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or support beyond the bill’s structure and referral history. The last action, re-referral to EIG/EDU and WAM, indicates the measure remained under committee consideration and likely required further policy and fiscal review.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the $12 million appropriation, the scope of HSEO’s new responsibilities, and the bill’s treatment of land use and cultural impacts. Because the bill requires consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations, cultural practitioners, and local communities, questions may arise about whether the process adequately protects cultural resources and community interests. Another likely issue is the balance between advancing geothermal exploration and ensuring that any future development follows appropriate permitting and regulatory safeguards.
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.
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.
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.