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geothermal potential for the purpose of designating geothermal resource subzones." This assessment was mandated to be revised or updated at least once every five years beginning in 1988. It also states that "An environmental impact statement as defined under chapter 343 shall not be required for the assessment of areas under this section."; and WHEREAS, the preservation of Hawai`i's unique social and natural environment and placing geothermal development in areas of low potential environmental impact was a "considered part" of repealed Sections 205-5.1 and 205-5.2, HRS, which mandated a deliberate, respectful, careful, well-thought-out approach to geothermal energy for the protection of the people, properties, social-cultural values, and the environment; and WHEREAS, draft report, "2012 Senate Energy and Environment Committee Accomplishments," states that Act 97 relaxes the restrictions on geothermal development by: (1) requiring geothermal resources exploration and development, as defined in the act, to be permissible uses in all State land use districts, and (2) repealing provisions relating to geothermal resource subzones and exploratory wells; and WHEREAS, Act 55, Session Laws of Hawai`i 2011, created the Public Land Development Corporation (PLDC), which removed local involvement or control in the regulatory and permitting process; and WHEREAS, the PLDC has the ability to subsidize and promote development without regard for county permitting requirements, but must follow State laws; and WHEREAS, 2012 Senate Resolution No. 25, a final measure that led to Act 97, states in part that: "...the Public Land Development Corporation is urged to identify public trust land on the Islands of Hawaii and Maui with geothermal resources that may be developed; and ...is urged to work with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop and implement geothermal projects on the Islands of Hawaii and Maui..."; and WHEREAS, Act 97 allows geothermal exploration and development on all State land use districts anywhere in the State of Hawai`i without regard to many significant issues including: social and environmental factors; the need of the respective counties to control their own zoning, permitting, building, health and public safety standards; potential environmental impact to flora and fauna, surface and ground water resources, ambient air quality, ambient noise levels, impact of decibel levels or infrasonic sounds; historical, cultural, and archaeological resources; scenic and aesthetic values; risks to people and property; and removing geothermal resource subzones and any requirement for Environmental Impact Statements; and WHEREAS, the elimination of subzones by Act 97, the lack of required Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statements which would provide input on the above- mentioned issues, and the use of the Public Lands Development Corporation as it exists today creates severe flaws in the balance between geothermal expansion and the public interest by disregarding the protection of the people and their health, protection of the environment, terminating the counties' self-rule, and dismissing the needs and desires of the people of the State of Hawai`i; now, therefore, 2