Comprehensive Analysis of Hawaii’s geothermal potential through Play Fairway Award Number: DE-EE0006729 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.1 Geothermal Technologies Office Date: 2/6/2017 Location(s): HI Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
February 7, 2017
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Comprehensive Analysis of Hawaii’s geothermal potential through Play Fairway
Award Number: DE-EE0006729
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.1
Geothermal Technologies Office
Date: 2/6/2017
Location(s): HI
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to the University of Hawaii to address the overarching theme of uncertainty quantification and reduction for geothermal exploration, specifically through the development of Geothermal Play Fairways. A play fairway analysis defines levels of uncertainty with respect to the presence and utility of geothermal system elements, and translates them into maps to high grade the geographic area over which the most favorable combinations of heat, permeability, and fluid are thought to extend. A previous NEPA Determination (GFO-FOA0000841-001; CX A9; 07/31/14) reviewed Phase/Budget Period 1 activities. A second NEPA Determination (GFO-0006729-001; CX A9, B3.1, B3.6; 04/25/16) reviewed Budget Period 2 (BP2) but restricted Task 10 pending further review, and a third NEPA Determination (GFO-0006729-002; CX A9, B3.1; 06/02/16) reviewed Task 10 but restricted Subtask 10.2 pending further review. This NEPA Determination is for the remainder of BP2 activities and it reviews Subtask 10.2: MT/AMT and gravity data acquisition on Haleakala volcano (Maui). Additional NEPA review will be required if the recipient is selected to move forward into Budget Period 3.
Activities associated with Subtask 10.2 would involve performing noninvasive geophysical surveys on the island of Maui at the privately owned Ulupalakua Ranch, in addition to the analysis of data collected. The proposed geophysical surveys include establishing temporary magnetotelluric (MT), audiomagnetotelluric (AMT) data collection stations and gravity surveys at 12 data collection stations, all of which are located along existing dirt roadways within the ranch property.