HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

307

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to renewable energy.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that as a result of its goal to reach one hundred per cent renewable energy by 2045, Hawaii now leads other states in nearly every category of renewable electricity.  Currently, thirty-three per cent of electricity in the State is generated from rooftop solar and there are sixty utility-scale renewable energy projects feeding into the State's power grids.  Despite great progress, the State continues to depend heavily upon imported petroleum for its energy needs, and it still falls far short of its ambitious renewable energy goals.

     The legislature further finds that the State must continue to support both established renewable energy sources and those emerging from new technological innovations to meet its expansive renewable energy goals.  Currently, the State's definition of "renewable energy" is too narrow to account for some technological innovations that produce renewable energy resources.  Broadening the definition of "renewable energy" to include other self-replenishing non-fossil fuel resources could significantly advance the State's clean energy goals and produce considerable environmental and economic benefits for the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to amend the definition of "renewable energy" to include additional self-replenishing non-fossil fuel resources.

     SECTION 2.  Section 269-91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "renewable energy" to read as follows:

     ""Renewable energy" means energy generated or produced using [the following sources]:

     (1)  Wind;

     (2)  The sun;

     (3)  Falling water;

     (4)  Biogas, including landfill and sewage-based digester gas;

     (5)  Geothermal;

     (6)  Ocean water, currents, and waves, including ocean thermal energy conversion;

     (7)  Biomass, including biomass crops, agricultural and animal residues and wastes, and municipal solid waste and other solid waste;

     (8)  Biofuels; [and]

     (9)  Hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources[.]; and

    (10)  Other self-replenishing non-fossil fuel resources."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Renewable Energy; Definition

 

Description:

Broadens the definition of "renewable energy" to include other self-replenishing non-fossil fuel resources.

 

 

 

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