Bill Text: HI HB2220 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 2220 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Renewable Energy.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-26 - Referred to EEP, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 8 [HB2220 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-HB2220-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2220
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
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 the use of biofuels can be part of a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuels. However, unsustainably sourced biofuels can worsen greenhouse gas emissions and harm the environment. Some biofuels are produced from crops that increase greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change. Converting rainforests or grasslands to produce food crop�based biofuels can result in increased greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, biofuels made from waste biomass can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The legislature also finds that the production of biofuels can displace food crops and lead to land clearing. This hurts the global food supply and can create moral hazards. Under current State law, unsustainable or morally hazardous biofuel could be used in the State under the banner of "renewable energy." For example, if biofuels were grown in the Amazon rainforest in a way that increased greenhouse gases and displaced the indigenous population, the biofuels would still be considered a "renewable fuel" in the State. This is an absurd result that is contrary to both the State's renewable energy goals and the State's moral compass. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to clarify that biofuels used in the State must come from renewable sources.

SECTION 2. Section 269-91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "renewable energy" to read as follows:

""Renewable energy" means energy generated or produced using the following sources:

(1) Wind;

(2) The sun;

(3) Falling water;

(4) Biogas, including landfill and sewage-based digester gas;

(5) Geothermal;

(6) Ocean water, currents, and waves, including ocean thermal energy conversion;

(7) Biomass, including biomass crops, agricultural and animal residues and wastes, and municipal solid waste and other solid waste;

(8) Biofuels[;] produced from renewable energy sources; and

(9) Hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Renewable Energy; Biofuels

Description:

Changes the definition of renewable energy to require that biofuels be produced from renewable energy sources.

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