Bill Text: HI HB111 | 2021 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Renewable Energy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-03-19 - The committee on EET deferred the measure. [HB111 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2021-HB111-Amended.html
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
111 |
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 the State has committed to transition away from fossil fuels and toward a clean energy economy powered by one hundred per cent renewable energy. The State has also committed to reducing carbon emissions. This renewable energy transformation will help to stabilize and strengthen Hawaii's economy by reducing its dependency on imported and price-volatile fossil fuels, foster innovation and clean energy job growth, help protect Hawaii's environment by greatly reducing carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel energy with renewable energy, and positioning Hawaii as a global leader in renewable energy and climate solutions.
The legislature took a bold and decisive step toward achieving its renewable energy goals by passing Act 23, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020, that eliminated the use of coal in Hawaii for electricity production. Hawaii must further commit to the path of eliminating the use of all types of fossil fuels for electricity generation, not just coal-powered electricity generation.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Prohibit the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation or storage after December 31, 2045; and
(2) Prohibit the Public Utilities Commission from approving cost recovery of any application or proposal for generation or storage facilities that use fossil fuels, with certain exceptions.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269- Elimination of fossil fuels for
electricity production. (a) After December 31, 2045, electricity generation
facilities, except emergency generators, shall cease the use of all fossil fuels
for the generation or storage of electricity.
(b) The public utilities commission shall not approve
any application or proposal for public utility cost recovery for any generation
or storage facilities that use fossil fuels, except as provided under section 269-6(d)(3)."
SECTION 3. Section 269-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) The public utilities commission shall
consider the need to reduce the State's reliance on fossil fuels through energy
efficiency and increased renewable energy generation in exercising its
authority and duties under this chapter.
In making determinations of the reasonableness of the costs of fossil
fuel electricity generation and fossil fuel-powered energy storage utility
system capital improvements and operations, the commission shall explicitly
consider, quantitatively or qualitatively, the effect of the State's reliance
on fossil fuels on [price]:
(1) Price
volatility[, export];
(2) Export of
funds for fuel imports[, fuel];
(3) Fuel supply
reliability risk[, and greenhouse]; and
(4) Greenhouse gas emissions.
The commission may determine that short-term costs or direct costs of renewable energy generation and renewable energy-powered energy storage that are higher than alternatives relying more heavily on fossil fuels are reasonable, considering the impacts resulting from the use of fossil fuels."
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Renewable Energy Generation; Storage; Fossil Fuels; Public Utilities Commission; Prohibition; Emergency Generators
Description:
Prohibits
the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation or storage after 12/31/2045.
Prohibits the Public Utilities
Commission from approving cost recovery of any application or proposal for
generation or storage facilities that use fossil fuels, with certain exceptions. Exempts emergency generators. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.