Bill Text: HI SB148 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Solar Energy; Renewable Energy; Residential Units
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB148 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB148-Introduced.html
Report Title:
Solar Energy; Renewable Energy; Residential Units
Description:
Directs the counties to require the installation of solar thermal energy systems for new residential developments with 6 or more single-family dwellings or multi-family units.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
148 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to renewable energy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. In 2002, the legislature recognized that:
(1) There is a widespread shortage of petroleum and its derivatives that has caused severe economic hardships throughout the State of Hawaii and threatens to impair the public health, safety, and welfare;
(2) The current energy crisis is caused by a global energy shortage that will worsen through the remainder of this decade; and
(3) The State of Hawaii, with its near total dependence on imported fossil fuel for energy, is particularly vulnerable to dislocations in the global energy market.
The environmental challenges confronting Hawaii and the global community have increased and overwhelming consumption of fossil fuel continues to threaten the human population and the earth's very survival. The wisest response to this impending crisis is to select courses of action that allow economic expansion while minimizing harm to the environment.
As there are few places in the world as generously endowed with natural, non-polluting power sources as Hawaii, clearly, the deployment of renewable energy resources, such as solar thermal energy, should be aggressively pursued whenever economically feasible. The benefits of such a pursuit include:
(1) Adding clean energy to the State's resources;
(2) Reducing risk by diversifying the State's energy portfolio;
(3) Mainstreaming solar power development, improving its technology, and increasing its affordability; and
(4) Establishing Hawaii as a world-class solar market.
The purpose of this Act is to direct each county to require the installation of solar thermal energy systems in new residential developments.
SECTION 2. Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§46- Residential solar thermal energy systems. (a) By January 1, 2010, each county shall incorporate into its building code a requirement that solar thermal energy systems be installed in new developments with six or more:
(1) Single-family dwellings; or
(2) Multi-family residential units.
All plans and specifications submitted with or in connection with an application for a building or construction permit shall bear the certification by a registered architect or engineer that the plans and specifications comply with this requirement.
(b) For purposes of this section, "solar thermal energy system" means any identifiable facility, equipment, apparatus, or the like, including a photovoltaic cell application, that is applicable to a single-family or multi-family residential unit and makes use of solar energy for heating, cooling, or reducing the use of other types of energy dependent upon fossil fuel for generation; provided that "solar thermal energy system" shall not include skylights or windows."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.
SECTION 4. 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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