THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

243

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

S.D. 1

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 section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires each utility company that sells electricity for consumption in this State to establish a renewable energy portfolio standard of one hundred per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2045.

     The legislature also finds that section 225P-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishes a zero emissions clean economy target to sequester more atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases than emitted within the State as quickly as practicable, but no later than 2045.

     The legislature finds that no strategic plan currently exists for the attainment of either of these goals.

     The legislature further finds that the Hawaii natural energy institute has stated its willingness to take on the task of working with the legislature; office of the governor; the department of business, economic development, and tourism; and Hawaii's energy and broader stakeholders to envision and explain how Hawaii's several related statutes regarding renewable energy, energy efficiency, and zero emissions clean economy target will be synthesized and achieved.

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Hawaii natural energy institute to develop a strategic plan that outlines benchmarks to meet the requirements of section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in establishing a one hundred per cent renewable energy portfolio standard.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The Hawaii natural energy institute of the University of Hawaii, shall establish a strategic plan that identifies clear benchmarks to:

     (1)  Attain the goal of one hundred per cent energy self-sufficiency by December 31, 2045, including the temporary use of alternative fuels that may be used as bridge fuels; and

     (2)  Provide clarity for utilities, utility-scale developers, and energy distributors in planning to achieve the benchmarks determined under paragraph (1).

     (b)  The strategic plan shall identify benchmarks that are quantitatively and qualitatively measurable and the metrics to determine progress toward attaining the goal of one hundred per cent energy self-sufficiency by December 31, 2045.

     (c)  The Hawaii natural energy institute shall submit its strategic plan, including proposed strategies, benchmarks, and metrics, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.

     SECTION 3.  (a)  The Hawaii natural energy institute of the university of Hawaii shall conduct a feasibility study on the State's ability to achieve its goal of producing one hundred per cent of the State's electricity from renewable energy sources by December 31, 2045; provided that if the current renewable energy standards are not achievable, the study shall determine an estimate of what percentage is realistically achievable by December 31, 2045.

     (b)  The Hawaii natural energy institute shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.



 

Report Title:

Energy; Renewable Energy; Strategic Plan; Hawaii Natural Energy Institute; Feasibility Study

 

Description:

Requires the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute to develop a strategic plan that outlines benchmarks to achieve a 100% renewable energy portfolio standard and to submit the strategic plan to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2023.  Requires the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute to conduct a feasibility study on the State's ability to achieve its renewable energy goals by 2045 and to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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