Report Title:

State Program on Renewable Hydrogen; Hydrogen Technologies Special Fund

Description:

Establishes the State Program on Renewable Hydrogen to manage the state's transition to a renewable hydrogen economy. Establishes the Hydrogen Technologies Special Fund to fund renewable hydrogen projects. Appropriates funds for the program and special fund.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

3222

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to energy.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii, as the most isolated and oil-dependent state in the nation, faces particularly severe concerns regarding the security and costs of its energy resources. Hawaii relies on imported petroleum for the majority of its primary energy needs. Moreover, fuel must be transported between islands, contributing to the nation's highest costs for electricity and gasoline.

Alternative energy sources such as hydrogen can benefit the state by, among other things:

(1) Promoting Hawaii's energy self-sufficiency by reducing the state's reliance on imported fossil fuel;

(2) Improving the local economy by lowering energy costs and generating new jobs associated with the expansion of renewable energy technologies; and

(3) Reducing harmful emissions from fossil fuel-based energy sources.

The purpose of this Act is to enhance Hawaii's energy resources, improve the state economy, and reduce the state's dependence on imported fossil fuel, by establishing a state program and special fund to promote the use of renewable hydrogen technologies.

SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§196-     State program on renewable hydrogen. (a) There is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism, a state program on renewable hydrogen to manage the state's transition to a renewable hydrogen economy. The program shall design, implement, and administer activities that shall include:

(1) Strategic partnerships for the research, development, testing, and deployment of renewable hydrogen technologies;

(2) Engineering and economic evaluations of Hawaii's potential for renewable hydrogen use and near-term project opportunities for the state's renewable energy resources;

(3) Electric grid reliability and security projects that will enable the integration of a substantial increase of electricity from renewable energy resources on the island of Hawaii;

(4) Hydrogen demonstration projects, including infrastructure for the production, storage, and refueling of hydrogen vehicles;

(5) A statewide hydrogen economy public education and outreach plan focusing on the island of Hawaii, to be developed in coordination with Hawaii's public education institutions;

(6) Promotion of Hawaii's renewable hydrogen resources to potential partners and investors;

(7) A plan to maximize hydrogen technologies and infrastructure capable of supporting the island of Hawaii's energy needs, including:

(A) Expanded installation of hydrogen production facilities;

(B) Development of integrated energy systems, including hydrogen vehicles;

(C) Construction of additional hydrogen refueling stations; and

(D) Promotion of building design and construction that fully incorporates clean energy assets, including reliance on hydrogen-fueled energy generation.

(8) A plan to transition the island of Hawaii to a hydrogen-fueled economy, and to apply that plan throughout the state; and

(9) Evaluation of policy recommendations to:

(A) Encourage the adoption of hydrogen-fueled vehicles;

(B) Continually fund the hydrogen technologies special fund; and

(C) Support investment in hydrogen infrastructure, including production, storage, and dispensing facilities.

§196-     Hydrogen technologies special fund. (a) There is established the hydrogen technologies special fund, into which shall be deposited:

(1) Appropriations to the fund made by the legislature;

(2) Contributions to the fund from all other sources; and

(3) All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the fund.

(b) Moneys in the fund shall be used to fund projects for the research, development, testing, and deployment of renewable hydrogen systems."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for the state program on renewable hydrogen.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 to be paid into the hydrogen technologies special fund.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the hydrogen technologies special fund the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 to be used for the purposes of the hydrogen technologies special fund.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that sections 3, 4, and 5 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:

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