HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

80

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

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.  The legislature finds that the definition of "renewable electrical energy" in part V of chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is ambiguous and allows for unanticipated loopholes to be exploited.

     The purpose of this Act is to protect the environment against potentially harmful effects of the State's pursuit of increased renewable energy sources by allowing the public utilities commission to give preference to certain renewable energy resources when establishing renewable portfolio standards.

     SECTION 2.  Section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The public utilities commission may establish standards for each utility that prescribe what portion of the renewable portfolio standards shall be met by specific types of renewable energy resources; provided that:

     (1)  Prior to January 1, 2015, at least fifty per cent of the renewable portfolio standards shall be met by electrical energy generated using renewable energy as the source, and after December 31, 2014, the entire renewable portfolio standard shall be met by electrical generation from renewable energy sources;

     (2)  Beginning January 1, 2015, electrical energy savings shall not count toward renewable energy portfolio standards;

     (3)  Where electrical energy is generated or displaced by a combination of renewable and nonrenewable means, the proportion attributable to the renewable means shall be credited as renewable energy; and

     (4)  Where fossil and renewable fuels are co-fired in the same generating unit, the unit shall be considered to generate renewable electrical energy (electricity) in direct proportion to the percentage of the total heat input value represented by the heat input value of the renewable fuels.

When establishing the standards, the commission may give preference to renewable energy resources that reduce or eliminate the amount of fossil fuel used in the generation of the renewable energy and result in reduced energy transmission volatility."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Renewable Portfolio Standards; Preferences

 

Description:

Authorizes the PUC to give preference to renewable energy resources that reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuel and result in reduced volatility when establishing renewable portfolio standards.

 

 

 

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