HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1580

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

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's dependence on imported fossil fuels drains the state economy of billions of dollars each year.  The volatility of imported fuel prices creates significant risks for the economy and adds to costs for local families.  The legislature further finds that the use of fossil fuel reduces air quality and leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.  This contributes to climate change, which poses a serious threat to Hawaii's economic well-being, public health, natural resources, and environment.  Climate change harms marine ecosystems and causes sea levels to rise, which results in the displacement of coastal residences and businesses.  Climate change also poses a serious threat to public health by increasing the incidences of infectious diseases, asthma, and other health-related problems.

     The legislature notes that on a per-mile basis, it is significantly less expensive to commute in an electric vehicle than it is to commute in a gas-powered automobile.  Residents can lower their cost of living by relying on local renewable energy for transportation and transitioning to less-expensive renewable vehicles and transportation systems.  The legislature further finds that autonomous electric vehicles already operating on public roads in cities around the country signal an approaching revolution in transportation that has the potential to dramatically reduce costs for consumers and change the way people commute.  However, in order for local consumers and families to benefit from these changes and properly transition away from expensive fossil fuel vehicles, Hawaii must be prepared with critical infrastructure elements, such as electric vehicle charging stations.

     The purpose of this Act is to prepare for the transition to renewable ground transportation in Hawaii by:

     (1)  Establishing a goal for the reduction and ultimate elimination of the use of fossil fuels for ground transportation by 2045; and

     (2)  Directing the department of transportation to collaborate with the state energy office in establishing a working group that shall establish baseline metrics, identify a plan, and develop recommendations to achieve one hundred per cent renewable ground transportation statewide by 2045.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 264, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§264-     Renewable ground transportation working group.  (a)  The department of transportation, in collaboration with the state energy office of the department of business, economic development, and tourism, shall establish a renewable ground transportation working group that shall:

     (1)  Create baseline metrics for defining and meaningfully tracking basic modes of renewable ground transportation as a percentage of all ground transportation;

     (2)  Identify a plan to make progress toward the goal of achieving one hundred per cent renewable ground transportation statewide by 2045;

     (3)  Include future mode share targets in the plan described in paragraph (2); and

     (4)  Develop recommendations regarding the additional steps necessary to help achieve the goal described in paragraph (2).

     (b)  The number of members of the working group shall be determined by the director of transportation, or the director's designee, who shall serve as the chair of the working group; provided that the working group shall include:

     (1)  One member representing the state energy office of the department of business, economic development, and tourism; and

     (2)  As appointed by the chair, other state employees, county employees, or members of the public who have expertise in the use of renewable energy for transportation.

     (c)  Members of the working group shall receive no compensation for their service but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred, including travel expenses, relating to their service on the working group.

     (d)  In its annual report submitted to the legislature pursuant to part II of Act 100, Session Laws of Hawaii 1999, the department of transportation shall:

     (1)  Include information about the working group's progress regarding its duties in subsection (a); and

     (2)  Make recommendations as developed pursuant to subsection (a)(4).

     (e)  For purposes of this section, "renewable ground transportation" means ground transportation that operates solely on renewable energy or avoids fossil fuel consumption."

     SECTION 3.  Section 196-10.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(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,] 2045, to transition the State to a clean energy economy[;], including the reduction and ultimate elimination by 2045 of Hawaii's dependence on imported fossil fuels for electrical generation and ground transportation; and

     (7)  A plan, to be implemented from 2011 to [2030,] 2045, to assist each county in transitioning to a clean energy economy."

     SECTION 4.  Section 226-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Planning for the State's facility systems with regard to transportation shall be directed towards the achievement of the following objectives:

     (1)  An integrated multi-modal transportation system that services statewide needs and promotes the efficient, economical, safe, and convenient movement of people and goods[.];

     (2)  A statewide transportation system that is consistent with and will accommodate planned growth objectives throughout the State[.]; and

     (3)  Increased energy security and self-sufficiency through the reduction and ultimate elimination, by 2045, of imported fossil fuels for ground transportation."

     SECTION 5.  Section 226-18, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Planning for the State's facility systems with regard to energy shall be directed toward the achievement of the following objectives, giving due consideration to all:

     (1)  Dependable, efficient, and economical statewide energy systems capable of supporting the needs of the people;

     (2)  Increased energy security and self-sufficiency through the reduction and ultimate elimination, by 2045, of Hawaii's dependence on imported fuels for electrical generation and ground transportation;

     (3)  Greater diversification of energy generation in the face of threats to Hawaii's energy supplies and systems;

     (4)  Reduction, avoidance, or sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions from energy supply and use; and

     (5)  Utility models that make the social and financial interests of Hawaii's utility customers a priority."

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017; provided that section 2 shall be repealed on January 31, 2046.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Transportation; Renewable Energy; Working Group

 

Description:

Establishes a goal to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of fossil fuels for ground transportation by 2045.  Creates a working group to create metrics, identify a plan, and develop recommendations to achieve 100% renewable ground transportation statewide by 2045.

 

 

 

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