HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1939

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to clean energy.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's dependency on imported fuel drains our economy of billions of dollars each year.  A stronger local economy depends on a transition away from imported fuels and toward renewable local resources that provide a secure source of affordable energy.

     The legislature further finds that alternative energy technologies have advanced significantly in recent years leading to an explosion of new markets, jobs, and local energy sources.  Due to these and other advances, Hawaii is currently ahead of its timeline in reaching its goal of becoming forty per cent renewable by 2030.

     The legislature also finds that Hawaii is in a period of energy transition, with many long-term agreements soon to be executed for new forms of imported fuels that may act as temporary "bridge" fuels until local sources of renewable energy can be developed. 

     The purpose of this Act is to update and extend Hawaii's clean energy initiative and renewable portfolio standards to ensure maximum long-term benefit to Hawaii's economy by setting a goal to be one hundred per cent renewable by 2050.  This target will ensure that Hawaii moves beyond its dependence on imported fuels and continues to grow a local renewable energy industry.

     SECTION 2.  Section 196-10.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title and subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "[[]§196-10.5[]Hawaii clean energy initiative program.  (a)  There is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism, a Hawaii clean energy initiative program to manage the State's transition to a clean energy economy.  The clean energy program shall design, implement, and administer activities that include:

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

     (2)  Engineering and economic evaluations of Hawaii's potential for 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;

     (4)  A statewide clean energy public education and outreach plan to be developed in coordination with Hawaii's institutions of public education;

     (5)  Promotion of Hawaii's clean and renewable resources to potential partners and investors;

     (6)  A plan, to be implemented from 2011 to [2030,] 2050, to transition the State to a clean energy economy; and

     (7)  A plan, to be implemented from 2011 to [2030,] 2050, to assist each county in transitioning to a clean energy economy."

     SECTION 3.  Section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Each electric utility company that sells electricity for consumption in the State shall establish a renewable portfolio standard of:

     (1)  Ten per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2010;

     (2)  Fifteen per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2015;

     (3)  Twenty-five per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2020; [and]

     (4)  Forty per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2030[.]; and

     (5)  One hundred per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2050."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Clean Energy Initiative; Renewable Portfolio Standards

 

Description:

Extends the clean energy initiative program goals to 2050 and the renewable portfolio standards to 100% clean energy by 2050.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.