HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1906

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to wind power.

 

 

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

 


SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to establish a two-year moratorium on the issuance of new permits for utility-scale wind turbines in the State and to create a task force to study and make recommendations to the legislature on wind energy policy and permitting in the State.

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

     "§196-    Wind turbines; moratorium.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, until June 30, 2022, no person shall be issued a permit or approval by any state or county agency for a new wind turbine capable of producing one megawatt or more of energy or a facility or project incorporating a new wind turbine capable of producing one megawatt or more of energy in the State.

     (b)  Permits and approvals covered by this section include environmental permits and approvals, construction and operating permits, land use permits and approvals, and utility permits; provided that applications for permits or approvals deemed complete prior to the effective date of this Act shall be exempt from the prohibition under subsection (a)."

SECTION 3.  (a)  The Hawaii state energy office shall convene a task force to study and make recommendations to the legislature on wind energy policy and permitting in the State.

(b)  The task force shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The chief energy officer of the Hawaii state energy office or the chief energy officer's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;

     (2)  The director of environmental quality control or the director's designee;

     (3)  The chairperson of the public utilities commission or the chairperson's designee;

     (4)  The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources or the chairperson's designee;

     (5)  Two community stakeholders in the renewable energy industry to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

     (6)  Two community stakeholders in the renewable energy industry to be appointed by the president of the senate.

(c)  The task force shall be exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(d)  Task force members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, incurred for service on the task force.  No member of the task force shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation on the task force.

SECTION 4.  (a)  The chief energy officer of the Hawaii state energy office, in consultation with the task force, shall submit a report of the task force's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.

(b)  The task force shall dissolve on June 30, 2021.

SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 7.  If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

     SECTION 8.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 9.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2022.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Wind Power; Turbines; Moratorium; Task Force; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a two-year moratorium on the issuance of new permits or approvals for wind turbines capable of producing one megawatt or more of energy.  Creates a task force to make recommendations on wind energy policies and permitting.  Makes an appropriation.  Repeals 6/30/2022.

 

 

 

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