THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

660

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENERGY STORAGE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the development of energy storage is seen as a crucial next step toward the development of a smart, updated electrical grid which can accommodate more renewable energy resources, help customers take charge of their electric bills, and contribute to overall grid resiliency and reliability as the State works toward its one hundred per cent Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal.  However, energy storage adds considerable cost to renewable energy systems.  These high costs have impeded the installation and implementation of energy storage systems in the State.  Therefore, it is necessary to offer assistance to Hawaii's electric ratepayers to accelerate the adoption of energy storage technologies.

     The purpose of this Act is to assist electric ratepayers in the State with energy storage systems connected to the utility grid, by establishing an energy storage market acceleration program administered by the public benefits fee administrator to provide rebates to ratepayers through an energy storage rebate program.  Further, this Act establishes funding for the programs through the public benefits fee and requires the public utilities commission to establish rebate amounts annually and to consider increasing the public benefits fee if necessary to fund the programs.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§196-    Energy storage market acceleration program; energy storage rebate program.  (a)  There is established the Hawaii energy storage market acceleration program that shall be a rebate program administered by the public benefits fee administrator pursuant to section 269-122.

     (b)  The energy market acceleration program shall be funded through the public benefits fee pursuant to section 269-121.

     (c)  The amount available for rebates under the program shall be determined annually by the commission.

     (d)  If necessary, an increase to the public benefits fee shall be considered by the commission to fund the program.

     (e)  Energy storage systems receiving rebates as part of this program shall remain connected to the utility grid.

     (f)  For purposes of this section and section 269-121, "energy storage" shall be considered a clean energy technology."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Energy Storage Rebate Program; Energy Storage Market Acceleration Program; Public Benefits Fee

 

Description:

Creates the energy storage market acceleration program and energy storage rebate program to be administered by the public benefits fee administrator.  Establishes an energy storage system rebate for energy storage system providers and allows for rebates under the program to be paid out of the public benefits fee.  Requires the public utilities commission to establish rebate amounts under the program annually.  Authorizes the public utilities commission to increase the public benefits fee if necessary to fund the programs.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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