STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1051-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 3195

S.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 3195, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii State Energy Office, Sustainable Energy Hawai‘i, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that geothermal technology facilitates the generation of power from heat and energy found below the Earth's surface. However, since geothermal investigation, exploration, and identification can be costly, the State can play a critical role in supporting the development of geothermal resources as an alternative form of renewable energy to achieve the State's goal of transitioning to one hundred percent renewable energy generation statewide.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3195, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair