Report Title:

Renewable Portfolio Standards; Civil Penalties

Description:

Amends the renewable portfolio standards law by requiring electric utility companies to increase their percentage of electrical energy sales represented by renewable energy to 10% by 2010 and to 20% by 2020. Makes goals mandatory, disallows PUC waivers, and imposes civil penalties.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

184

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to renewable portfolio standards.

 

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

SECTION 1. Section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§269-92[]] Renewable portfolio standards. (a) Each electric utility company that sells electricity for consumption in the State shall establish [a renewables] renewable portfolio [standard goal] standards of:

(1) Seven per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2003;

(2) Eight per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2005; [and]

(3) [Nine] Ten per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2010[.]; and

(4) Twenty per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2020.

(b) Any person who violates this section and who has not obtained an extension for meeting the prescribed standard, as provided in section 269-94(a), shall be fined not more than $10,000 for each separate offense. Each date of violation shall constitute a separate offense. Any action taken to impose or collect the penalty provided for in this subsection shall be considered a civil action."

SECTION 2. Section 269-94, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§269-94 Waivers, extensions, and incentives.[]] (a) Any electric utility company not meeting the renewable portfolio standard shall report to the public utilities commission, within ninety days following the goal dates established in section [[]269-92[]], and provide an explanation for not meeting the renewable portfolio standard. The public utilities commission [shall have the option to either] may grant [a waiver from the renewable portfolio standard or an] one extension of not more than six months for meeting the prescribed renewable portfolio standard.

(b) The public utilities commission may provide incentives to encourage electric utility companies to exceed their renewable portfolio standards or to meet their renewable portfolio standards ahead of time, or both."

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 Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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