THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

243

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

 

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 section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires each utility company that sells electricity for consumption in the State to establish a renewable portfolio standard of one hundred per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2045, and that section 269-96, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires the public utilities commission to establish energy-efficiency portfolio standards to achieve four thousand three hundred gigawatt-hours of electricity use reductions statewide by 2030.

     The legislature notes that the renewable portfolio and energy-efficiency portfolio standards are specific to electricity and not all energy.

     The legislature also finds that section 225P-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishes a zero emissions clean economy target to sequester more atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases than emitted within the State as quickly as practicable, but no later than 2045.  The energy sector accounts for about eighty‑eight per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the State and, therefore, achievement of the zero emissions clean economy target will be highly dependent upon actions taken with regard to energy supplies and use.

     The legislature further notes that no strategic plan currently exists for the attainment of the zero emissions clean economy target involving energy and other sources of greenhouse gas emissions and the public utilities commission has responsibilities to examine lifecycle emissions that may occur outside the State.

     The legislature further finds that the Hawaii state energy office, in accordance with its purpose and responsibilities under Act 122, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, is the appropriate entity, and has stated its willingness, to take on the task of working with the legislature; Hawaii natural energy institute; office of the governor; department of business, economic development, and tourism; and Hawaii's energy and broader stakeholders to envision and explain how Hawaii's several statutes regarding renewable energy, energy efficiency, and zero emissions clean economy target will be synthesized and achieved.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the Hawaii state energy office to develop a strategic plan that outlines benchmarks to meet the requirements of section 225P-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in establishing a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy as quickly as practicable but no later than 2045; and

     (2)  Require the Hawaii natural energy institute of the University of Hawaii to conduct a feasibility study of the Hawaii state energy office's strategic plan, including an analysis of the cost savings and benefits achieved to-date to ratepayers and residents of Hawaii's energy goals as set forth in sections 269-92 and 269-96, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The Hawaii state energy office shall:

     (1)  Establish a strategic plan that identifies clear strategies to achieve a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy as quickly as practicable but no later than 2045 in fulfillment of section 225P-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (2)  Consider lifecycle emissions related to out-of-state transportation and supply chains.

     (b)  The strategic plan shall identify benchmarks that are quantitatively and qualitatively measurable and metrics to determine progress toward attaining the goal of the zero emissions clean economy target.

     (c)  The Hawaii state energy office shall submit its strategic plan, including proposed strategies, benchmarks, and metrics, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.

     SECTION 3.  (a)  The Hawaii natural energy institute of the University of Hawaii shall conduct a feasibility study of the Hawaii state energy office's strategic plan pursuant to section 2 of this Act, including an analysis of the cost savings and benefits achieved to-date to ratepayers and residents of Hawaii's energy goals as set forth in sections 269-92 and 269‑96, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (b)  The Hawaii natural energy institute shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2023, 2028, 2033, 2038, 2043, and 2048.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Energy; Renewable Energy; Strategic Plan; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaii Natural Energy Institute; Feasibility Study

 

Description:

Requires the Hawaii state energy office to develop a strategic plan that identifies strategies to achieve a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy as quickly as practicable and to submit the strategic plan to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023.  Requires the Hawaii natural energy institute to conduct a feasibility study of the strategic plan and to submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2023, 2028, 2033, 2043, and 2048.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD2)

 

 

 

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