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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
80 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the definition of "renewable electrical energy" in part V of chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is ambiguous and allows for unanticipated loopholes to be exploited.
The legislature further finds that attaining independence from detrimental reliance on fossil fuels has been a long-standing objective for the State. Reducing the State's fossil fuel dependence and the consequent price volatility and attaining energy security and independence are critical.
To achieve energy independence, the legislature finds that a clean energy standard that prioritizes electricity technologies based on lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions is estimated to be up to ninety per cent more cost effective in achieving clean energy goals than the current renewable portfolio standard. This is because a lifecycle green house gas emissions-weighted clean energy standard provides guidance over the whole suite of possible energy technologies and fuels and encourages generation efficiencies. The clean energy standard also allows for partial credit for nonrenewable energies, scaled to the worst greenhouse gas emitter.
The legislature further finds that energy infrastructure planning and energy independence require long-term planning. Such planning is especially important because the year 2030 is now less than twenty years away.
The purpose of this Act is to require the public utilities commission to submit a report to the legislature that examines the potential for:
(1) Providing renewable energy preferences to certain renewable energy resources that reduce or eliminate the amount of fossil fuel used in the generation of the renewable energy and result in reduced energy transmission volatility;
(2) Developing a clean energy standard that provides an energy scale that provides for renewable energy credits to energy producers based upon lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions; and
(3) Implementing a clean energy standard that replaces the current renewable portfolio standard.
SECTION 2. The public utilities commission shall submit a report to the legislature regarding the renewable portfolio standards. The report shall examine the:
(1) Potential for giving preference to certain renewable energy resources that reduce or eliminate the amount of fossil fuel used in the generation of the renewable energy and result in reduced energy transmission volatility and include its criteria for renewable energy preferences and attaining reduced system volatility;
(2) Potential for developing a clean energy standard that provides an energy scale that provides renewable energy credits to energy producers based upon lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for each type of energy source including non-renewable energy where the energy source emitting the most greenhouse gases is set at zero;
(3) The costs and benefits of implementing a clean energy standard and replacing the renewable portfolio standard with a clean energy standard in the context of Hawaii's clean energy initiative goals; and
(4) Goals for integrated resource planning for the year 2030 and beyond.
The report shall be submitted to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Renewable Portfolio Standards; Preferences
Description:
Requires the PUC to submit a report to the Legislature after examining the potential for giving preference to certain renewable energy technologies, the implementation of a clean energy standard, and goals for integrated resource planning for 2030 and beyond. (HB80 HD1)
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