Geothermal Development Regulation Bill Amended (Hawaii 24/7)
The House Water and Land and the Energy and Environmental Protection Committees passed out an amended draft of SB2663, which establishes a framework to regulate geothermal resources development through a permitting process administered by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the appropriate county authority.
Amendments to the measure includes language that would allow for public input, increased transparency, and maintains county home rule.
The bill proposes to revise statutory provisions to include geothermal within the definition of a “renewable energy producer.” Act 97, SLH 2012 deleted the counties oversight of geothermal development.
This measure restores that authority to the Counties (for Agricultural, Rural and Urban Districts) and the Board of Land and Natural Resources retains authority over Conservation Districts.
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