Bill Text: HI HB757 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Renewable Portfolio Standards; Energy Independence

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [HB757 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB757-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	757
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to energy independence.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that attaining independence from detrimental reliance on fossil fuels has been a long-standing objective for the State.  Hawaii pays the highest electricity prices in the United States and its gasoline costs are among the highest in the country.  Reducing the State's fossil fuel dependence and the consequent price volatility and attaining energy security and independence are critical.

     On January 28, 2008, the State of Hawaii and the United States Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding that launched the Hawaii clean energy initiative.  This initiative and long-term partnership between the State of Hawaii and the United States Department of Energy is aimed at:

     (1)  Accelerating the use and development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies;

     (2)  Allowing Hawaii to serve as a model for the United States and other island communities; and

     (3)  Developing a national partnership to accelerate system transformation.

     Act 155, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, stated that its purpose was to "provide a first step in aligning Hawaii's energy policy laws with the State's energy goals" and established a renewable portfolio standard requiring that forty per cent of each electric utility company's net electricity sales come from renewable resources by the year 2030.

     However, energy infrastructure planning and energy independence require long-term planning.  The year 2030 is now less than twenty years away.  Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to provide the next step in aligning Hawaii's energy policy laws with its energy goals and to provide guidance for long-term energy planning by establishing renewable portfolio standards to be achieved by 2040 and 2050.  This Act also sets a goal for energy independence for Hawaii's electricity sector to be achieved by 2050.  In support of these long-term planning goals, this Act also clarifies that the applicability of renewable portfolio standards is not dependent on the presence of tax incentives.

     SECTION 2.  Section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.  By amending subsection (a) to read:

     "(a)  Each electric utility company that sells electricity for consumption in the State shall establish a renewable portfolio standard of:

     (1)  Ten per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2010;

     (2)  Fifteen per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2015;

     (3)  Twenty-five per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2020; [and]

     (4)  Forty per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2030[.];

     (5)  Seventy per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2040; and

     (6)  One hundred per cent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2050."

     2.  By amending subsection (d) to read:

     "(d)  Events or circumstances that are outside of an electric utility company's reasonable control may include, to the extent the event or circumstance could not be reasonably foreseen and ameliorated:

     (1)  Weather-related damage;

     (2)  Natural disasters;

     (3)  Mechanical or resource failure;

     (4)  Failure of renewable electrical energy producers to meet contractual obligations to the electric utility company;

     (5)  Labor strikes or lockouts;

     (6)  Actions of governmental authorities that adversely affect the generation, transmission, or distribution of renewable electrical energy under contract to an electric utility company;

    [(7)  Inability to acquire sufficient renewable electrical energy due to lapsing of tax credits related to renewable energy development;

     (8)] (7)  Inability to obtain permits or land use approvals for renewable electrical energy projects;

    [(9)] (8)  Inability to acquire sufficient cost-effective renewable electrical energy;

   [(10)] (9)  Substantial limitations, restrictions, or prohibitions on utility renewable electrical energy projects; and

   [(11)] (10) Other events and circumstances of a similar nature."

     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 Portfolio Standards; Energy Independence

 

Description:

Establishes renewable energy portfolio standards for 2040 and 2050, setting goal of energy independence for Hawaii's electricity sector by 2050.

 

 

 

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