HI HB1766

Re-establishes geothermal resource subzones within urban, rural, agricultural, and conservation land use districts that were eliminated by Act 97 (2012), restricting geothermal development activities to designated subzones except for direct use applications in urban, rural, and agricultural districts.

Creates a permitting process for geothermal resources development with applications requiring assessments of geologic hazards, environmental/cultural/social impacts, compatibility with other uses, health/safety impacts, community benefits, and development potential.

Authorizes counties to issue permits for geothermal development in agricultural, rural, and urban districts after public hearings, with decisions required within six months; authorizes the board of land and natural resources to issue permits for conservation district development.

Requires the board and counties to implement recommendations from the 2013 Geothermal Public Health Assessment Study Group, including baseline studies and monitoring systems for air/water pollution and noise control, before issuing new geothermal permits.

Establishes noise level limits for geothermal activities appropriate to nearby residential properties and allows exploratory wells outside designated subzones for scientific purposes or economic viability determination.