Hawai'i Meeting #2

Like the first Hawai'i meeting, both industry and agencies were well represenated. Discussion was lively, with the focus being mixed between the identification of challenges and education about the current leasing and permitting processes.

A major focus of discussion delt the Department of Land and Natural Resources' (DLNR) management of the subsurface, geothermal resources, on all lands regardless of surface ownership and the surface estate of state lands. This discussion lead to an understanding and insight into the past, current, how the future process will look as they  implement streamlining the permitting process via both legistative changes and setting policy on Ctegorical exemptions.

Additional topics of discussion inclided the corporate controlled monolopoly on electricval utilities and its impact as a major hurdle to geothermal development in the power purchase agreement (PPA) process and associated timelines. 

A major challenge for the developer is acquiring surface control and then acquiring the right to access the geothermal resource through exploration and development.

Modifications to the original flowcharts identified during the first meeting were reviewed in detail with specific changes and modifications to capture the current process by the GRR team.  The meeting ended with general agreement to continue working together and using OpenEI as a collorbation tool.