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House committee amends geothermal study to require nuclear energy feasibility working group; amendment passes
Summary
The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on April 10 amended SCR 136 to direct the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a working group to study the feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies in the state.
The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on April 10 amended SCR 136 to change a proposed geothermal‑energy working group into a study convened by the Hawaii State Energy Office on the feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies.
The amendment adds two contextual whereas clauses that note Hawaii’s constitution requires prior approval by a two‑thirds vote of each house before construction of a nuclear fission plant or disposal of radioactive materials, and that nuclear energy is not currently included in Hawaii’s statutory definition of renewable energy under HRS 269‑91.
The change was offered during the committee hearing as a substantial rewrite to align with language from the house draft of SB 1558. Representative Peruso, serving as chair, introduced the amendment and asked members for discussion. The amendment language, as read into the record, directs the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a “nuclear energy working group to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the state” and mirrors the contents of the House draft of SB 1558.
Members debated the contextual additions briefly. A member who identified themselves as opposed to nuclear energy said the new whereas clauses were important context but said they still opposed nuclear; that member voted with reservations.
The committee voted to pass SCR 136 SD 1 with amendments. The chair recorded an aye, the vice chair recorded a vote with reservations, Representative Kahalua and Representative Cush recorded ayes, and Representative Quinlan was noted as excused. The recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted.
The amendment does not itself authorize construction, funding, or siting; it directs the State Energy Office to convene a working group to study feasibility, and it adds constitutional and statutory context to inform that study.
The committee processed the change as part of an expedited hearing schedule; members noted time constraints earlier in the session because the room was needed for a training at 10 a.m.
Votes at the hearing were recorded on multiple measures; SCR 136 SD 1 was adopted with amendments as described.
