USA: Hawaii

Senate Scraps County Permitting for Geothermal Development (Big Island Now)

A bill intended to increase county authority over geothermal development was killed in a joint committee hearing yesterday.

“It’s very disappointing” former Hawaii County mayor Harry Kim said today, describing his frustration over the bill’s failure.

House Bill 106 would have required geothermal developers to apply for county permits when seeking sites that fall within “agricultural, rural, and urban districts.”

“Act 97″ which was passed in 2012, eliminated a requirement that geothermal projects stay within designated sub zones. Supporters viewed it as a way to streamline alternative energy development.Read More....