All these resources have the potential to help produce energy and reduce our dependence on imported petroleum. See the Renewable Energy Resource Assessment Report. Hawaii is determined to explore the best ways to take advantage of its renewable energy resources. Each renewable resource helps curb global warming by reducing air pollution. Every barrel of oil or ton of coal replaced with these renewable resources will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide put into the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is considered by many as one of the major contributors to global warming.
The State of Hawaii is actively supporting the development of a mix of renewable energy resources including solar power, biomass, hydropower, wind power, geothermal energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion. This Energy Fact Sheet describes geothermal energy and its use in Hawaii and other parts of the world. Geothermal energy is the natural heat of the earth stored deep below the earth's surface. The energy is found near areas where volcanic activity has taken place, either recently or many years ago. It can be in the form of steam, hot liquid, or hot dry rock.