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| The 30-megawatt Puna Geothermal Venture plant on the Big Island. (Courtesy: Ormat Technologies) |
But companies will often shy away from exploring new geothermal sites in Hawaii because of the state's strict environmental regulations, which cost both time and money.
On Thursday, a subcommittee of the state Environmental Council heard from potential geothermal developers about why the State Land Department should be allowed to waive certain environmental regulations.
"The cost and timelines of the current rules make it restrictive to explore in this state," said Bill Sherman, land manager for Ormat Technologies, a Nevada based company that owns the 30 megawatt geothermal plant in Puna on the Big Island.
