Bill Text: HI HB1855 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Energy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-06 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Nakamura, Saiki, Yamashita excused (3). [HB1855 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-HB1855-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1855 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ENERGY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii ranks third in the United States for solar power generation per capita. Solar power will be key to achieving the State's goal of generating one hundred per cent of the State's electricity from renewable energy sources by 2045. Many Hawaii residents and businesses install solar panels each year, in part due to public utilities commission policies. In addition to exporting electricity generated by customers to the electricity grid, Hawaii can maximize the benefits of renewable energy resources by finding ways to efficiently utilize excess energy generation.
The legislature also finds that energy storage is one solution to the problem of excess electricity generation during daylight hours. However, energy storage is often expensive and limited in capacity. A second solution is for the electric utilities to sell excess electricity to consumers for purposes such as hydrogen production or protected agriculture, at a rate that encourages efficient utilization of available renewable energy resources. The sale of excess electricity from the grid to consumers is known as "smart imports."
The legislature further finds that smart imports can reduce electricity rates and effectively utilize energy resources during periods of excess electricity generation. This can help more Hawaii residents and businesses transition to using electric vehicles through low cost charging. Smart imports can significantly boost the solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle industries.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Require electric utilities to offer smart imports to consumers; and
(2) Require the public utilities commission to study mechanisms that will enable the sale of excess energy generation from utility scale projects.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269-
Smart imports; excess electricity. (a)
Beginning January 1, 2022, electric utilities shall offer smart imports
to consumers at a just and reasonable rate that is approved by the public
utilities commission.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "smart
imports" means the sale of excess electricity from electric utilities to
consumers."
SECTION 3. (a) The public utilities commission shall direct the State's electric utilities to study other states' smart imports programs, solar and energy storage solutions, and related solutions to excess electricity generation and propose a "smart imports" program in Hawaii to be implemented no later than January 1, 2022. The study shall include but not be limited to specific mechanisms to enable excess generation from utility scale renewable energy projects to be offered for sale to avoid curtailing or otherwise not utilizing the available generation. In addition, the study shall propose, among other recommendations, how energy intensive commercial and industrial customers can utilize smart imports to reduce costs and benefit the grid.
(b) The public utilities commission shall submit a report of the findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, resulting from the study to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.
(c) For the purposes of this section, "smart imports" means the sale of excess electricity from electric utilities to consumers.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
PUC; Smart Imports; Excess Electricity; Energy
Description:
Requires electric utilities to offer smart imports, or excess electricity, to consumers beginning 1/1/2022. Requires PUC to direct the State's electric utilities to study and recommend how to implement a smart imports program in Hawaii by 1/1/2022 and how to enable excess generation from utility scale renewable projects to be offered for sale. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
