STAND. COM. REP. NO. 783

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1269

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1269, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the continued identification and exploration of geothermal resources and commercial viability for utility-scale geothermal energy production in counties with a population of less than three hundred thousand.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaiian Electric; Innovations Development Group; Lepo Ula; Ulupono Initiative; Waika; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that geothermal resources can provide stable power and community benefits as a viable alternative to biofuels. Your Committee further finds that through legislative appropriations, the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation has begun work on an integrated geothermal development roadmap with the goal of developing the first utility-scale 50- to 100-megawatt power station on Hawaii Island. Your Committee recognizes that further appropriations will support the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation as it continues its geothermal exploration.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1269, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair