By Sophie Cocke 01/30/2013

The state doesn’t have oil or natural gas reserves, but a Big Island lawmaker is worried that technology similar to that being used to extract oil and gas on the mainland may soon be employed in Hawaii by geothermal developers.

As a pre-emptive measure, Sen. Russell Ruderman has introduced a bill that would regulate the practice in Hawaii.

The Senate Energy and Environment Committee heard the bill on Tuesday and delayed a decision until later this week. Ruderman is vice chair of the committee.

Hawaii Electric Light Co., the electric utility on the Big Island, is expected to seek proposals for developing more geothermal energy soon. Maui Electric Co. has also said that it will ask for proposals for renewable energy projects that would include geothermal.

More: http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2013/01/30/18208-lawmaker-raises-alarm-about-geothermal-fracking-in-hawaii/