HI SB1269

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for exploring and identifying geothermal resources for utility-scale production in counties with populations under 300,000

Prohibits funding for exploratory, test, or production wells within a 15-mile radius of existing geothermal power plants currently providing electricity to the grid

Restricts funds from being used on projects within an unspecified radius of residential areas

Builds on 2024 legislative appropriation of $6,000,000 (reduced by governor to $3,000,000) for an integrated geothermal development plan administered by Hawaii Technology Development Corporation

Focuses development efforts on Hawaii Island, identified as having the largest and most reliable geothermal energy source in the state, with effective date of July 1, 3000 (placeholder)