THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

434

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

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 Hawaii's dependency on imported fuel drains the State's economy of billions of dollars each year.  A stronger local economy depends on a transition away from imported fuels and toward renewable local resources that provide a secure source of affordable energy.  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 further finds that mapping of a strategic plan to attain the goal of one hundred per cent energy self-sufficiency currently lacks a strategic plan.  The State's energy policy should:

     (1)  Look at all alternative sources of energy that may be used as temporary bridge fuels; and

     (2)  Outline clear benchmarks so that utilities, utility-scale developers, and energy distributors have clear guidelines.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the governor; department of business, economic development, and tourism; and Hawaii state energy office 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 state energy office, through the department of business, economic development, and tourism, and in cooperation with the office of the governor, 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 established pursuant to subsection (a) 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 department of business, economic development, and tourism shall submit its strategic plan, including proposed strategies, benchmarks, and metrics, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018, including any proposed statutory amendments for the purposes of codifying the strategic plan into law.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Energy; Renewable Energy; Strategic Plan; Guidelines

 

Description:

Requires the governor, DBEDT, and the Hawaii state energy office to develop a strategic plan that outlines benchmarks to achieve a one hundred per cent renewable energy portfolio standard.  Requires DBEDT to submit the strategic plan to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018.

 

 

 

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