HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2689
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to geothermal energy.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 205-5.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§205-5.3[]]  Exploratory wells. (a)  Notwithstanding section 205-5.1(a), (d), and (e), or any other provision of law, any exploratory well drilled for scientific purposes or to determine the economic viability of a geothermal resource, may be permitted outside of a designated geothermal resource subzone, regardless of land use classification, provided that the activity is limited to exploration only.  All applicable state and county permits shall be required to drill [such] exploratory wells [which]; provided that large hole wells shall not be exempt from the requirements of [the environmental impact statement law,] chapter 343[.]; and provided further that slim hole wells shall be exempt from the requirements of chapter 343.

(b)  In addition to any other requirements, slim hole wells shall:

(1) Not be used to extract geothermal resources for production purposes;

(2) Have a casing management plan to ensure the protection of any water aquifer that is penetrated; and

(3) Have steam or fluid loss protections of five thousand pounds per square inch or greater.

(c)  For the purposes of this section:

"Large hole well" means an exploratory well with a diameter larger than thirteen and three-eighths inches.

"Slim hole well" means an exploratory well with a diameter of thirteen and three-eighths inches or less."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Geothermal Energy; Exploratory Wells

Description:

Exempts slim hole wells from chapter 343, HRS, and establishes specific environmental safety requirements for slim hole wells.  Defines "slim hole well" and "large hole well".

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