Bill Text: HI HB2322 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Fuel; Gasoline; Ethanol
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-09 - (H) The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB2322 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2012-HB2322-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2322 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to ethanol.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the intent of the ten per cent ethanol requirement under section 486J-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, was to reduce statewide gasoline consumption, to establish industrial plants to produce ethanol locally, and to achieve independence from foreign oil. However, since enacting the ethanol content requirement in 2006, Hawaii has experienced higher fuel prices and increased its dependence on imported oil.
The legislature finds that the ten per cent ethanol requirement has not yielded the lower fuel prices or energy independence that was expected when the law was passed. The legislature further finds that, to the contrary, the ethanol requirement has helped keep fuel prices high by forcing refiners to import the ethanol additive. Despite several planned ethanol plants and an abundance of vacant sugarcane land, no plants have been built and a meaningful quantity of ethanol has yet to be produced in Hawaii. Producing ethanol in Hawaii remains economically unfeasible unless subsidies are provided. As a result, gasoline prices in the State will continue to reflect the added expenses of purchasing ethanol from foreign suppliers and transporting it to the State. These additional costs to consumers are unnecessary and must be reduced.
In 2011, federal tax credits for producing ethanol expired. This will increase the price of ethanol and further increase the price of gasoline.
The legislature further finds that motor vehicles obtain lower gas mileage when using ethanol-treated fuel. This forces drivers to refuel more frequently.
The legislature further finds that ethanol-treated gasoline is more damaging to marine engines and small gasoline engines. This results in expensive repairs for individuals who own boats and watercraft.
The legislature further finds that recently, the production of fuel crops has replaced the production of food crops in the agricultural industry. This shift has increased the prices of staple foods. In some parts of the world, it has resulted in food shortages and social unrest. Additionally, the consensus among the scientific community is that there is no net energy gain from the use of ethanol over traditional fossil fuels. The production cycle of ethanol, which includes growing, harvesting, and refining, requires more energy input from fossil fuels than the energy output of the finished ethanol product. This paradox has the undesirable effect of increasing our use of fossil fuels, makes Hawaii more dependent upon foreign sources of fuels, and increases overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to repeal the ten per cent ethanol requirement for gasoline sold in the State until the legislature determines that it is economically feasible to locally produce sufficient amounts of ethanol.
SECTION 2. Chapter 486J, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§486J- Annual report. (a) The Hawaii state energy office of the department of business, economic development, and tourism shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2013 and every odd numbered regular session thereafter regarding ethanol production in the State.
(b) The report shall include:
(1) The amount of ethanol produced in the State;
(2) Whether the amount is sufficient to ensure that gasoline sold in the State for use in motor vehicles contain ten per cent ethanol by volume; and
(3) Whether the ten per cent ethanol requirement for gasoline sold in the State first established by Act 257, Session Laws of Hawaii 1997, should be reenacted."
SECTION 3. Section 486J-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["§486J-10 Ethanol content
requirement. (a) The director shall adopt rules in accordance with
chapter 91 to require that gasoline sold in the State for use in motor vehicles
contain ten per cent ethanol by volume. The amounts of gasoline sold in the
State containing ten per cent ethanol shall be in accordance with rules as the
director may deem appropriate. The director may authorize the sale of gasoline
that does not meet these requirements as provided in subsection (d).
(b) Gasoline blended with an ethanol-based
product, such as ethyl tertiary butyl ether, shall be considered to be in
conformance with this section if the quantity of ethanol used in the
manufacture of the ethanol-based product represents ten per cent, by volume, of
the finished motor fuel.
(c) Ethanol used in the manufacture of
ethanol-based gasoline additives, such as ethyl tertiary butyl ether, may be
considered to contribute to the distributor's conformance with this section;
provided that the total quantity of ethanol used by the distributor is an
amount equal to or greater than the amount of ethanol required under this
section.
(d) The director may authorize the sale of
gasoline that does not meet the provisions of this section:
(1) To the extent that sufficient
quantities of competitively-priced ethanol are not available to meet the
minimum requirements of this section; or
(2) In the event of any other circumstances
for which the director determines compliance with this section would cause
undue hardship.
(e) Each distributor, at reporting dates as
the director may establish, shall file with the director, on forms prescribed,
prepared, and furnished by the director, a certified statement showing:
(1) The price and amount of ethanol
available;
(2) The amount of ethanol-blended fuel sold
by the distributor;
(3) The amount of non-ethanol-blended
gasoline sold by the distributor; and
(4) Any other information the director
shall require for the purposes of compliance with this section.
(f) Provisions with respect to
confidentiality of information shall be the same as provided in section 486J-6.
(g) Any distributor or any other person
violating the requirements of this section shall be subject to a fine of not
less than $2 per gallon of nonconforming fuel, up to a maximum of $10,000 per
infraction.
(h) The director, in accordance with
chapter 91, shall adopt rules for the administration and enforcement of this
section."]
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Fuel; Gasoline; Ethanol
Description:
Repeals the ten per cent ethanol by volume requirement for gasoline sold in Hawaii for use in motor vehicles. Requires the Hawaii state energy office to submit reports on local ethanol production.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
