Bill Text: HI SB2171 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Solar Water Heater; Gas; Renewable Energy
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-20 - (S) Referred to ENE/EDT. [SB2171 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2012-SB2171-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2171 |
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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 Energy Resources.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that independence from fossil fuels is critical for the security and well being of Hawaii's residents and for the sustainability and vitality of Hawaii's economy. Rising oil costs and increased dependence on foreign oil continue to place Hawaii's families and businesses in a vulnerable position. Continued consumption of fossil fuel will also worsen global warming, which in turn could mean increasing frequency and intensity of storms and rising sea levels in Hawaii. This will cause significant and costly impacts to our island communities as well as to the larger world.
The legislature also finds that the installation of solar water heaters on new single-family and duplex homes is one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways of moving Hawaii's families off of fossil fuels. A conventional electric water tank accounts for thirty to thirty-five per cent of a household's electric bill. By relying on the sun for ninety per cent of its hot water demand, a family could save enough money to pay for its solar system in five to seven years. After the system is paid off, the heating of water is essentially free. In addition to federal tax credits, when the cost of a solar water heater is included in the cost of a mortgage there could also be the added value of tax deductions. For the reasons above, in 2008 the legislature passed Act 204, Session Laws of Hawaii 2008, requiring solar water heaters on new single-family homes. However, the legislature further finds that the extraordinary number of variances granted from the solar water heater requirement for tankless gas heaters thwarts the purpose of Act 204.
The purpose of this Act is to require a certain type of application for a variance from the solar water heater requirement to be submitted by the ultimate occupant of the dwelling unit, rather than a licensed architect or mechanical engineer.
SECTION 2. Section 196-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§196-6.5 Solar water heater
system required for new single-family residential construction. (a) On or
after January 1, 2010, no building permit shall be issued for a new
single-family or duplex dwelling that does not include a solar water
heater system that meets the standards established pursuant to section 269-44, unless the coordinator approves a variance[.]
as provided in subsections (b) or (c).
(b) A variance application under this subsection shall only be accepted if submitted by an architect or mechanical engineer licensed under chapter 464, who attests that:
(1) Installation is impracticable due to poor solar resource;
(2) Installation is cost-prohibitive based upon a life cycle cost-benefit analysis that incorporates the average residential utility bill and the cost of the new solar water heater system with a life cycle that does not exceed fifteen years; or
(3) A renewable energy technology system, as defined
in section 235-12.5, is substituted for use as the primary energy source for
heating [water; or] water.
[(4) A] (c) A variance
application under this subsection for a demand water heater device approved
by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., [is installed; provided ] shall only
be accepted if the variance applicant will pay for the energy consumption
cost. As part of the application, the applicant shall sign an affidavit stating
that the applicant will be the occupant of the new house and has read a flyer
issued by the department of business, economic development, and tourism showing
the life-cycle cost comparisons of a solar water heater and a tankless gas
water heater of equivalent capacities, and that at least one other gas
appliance is installed in the dwelling. For the purposes of this [paragraph,]
subsection, "demand water heater" means a gas-tankless
instantaneous water heater that provides hot water only as it is needed.
[(b)] (d) A request for a
variance shall be submitted to the coordinator on an application prescribed by
the coordinator and shall include a description of the location of the property
and justification for the approval of a variance using the criteria established
in subsection (a). A variance shall be deemed approved if not denied within
thirty working days after [receipt] acceptance of the variance
application. The coordinator shall publicize:
(1) All applications for a variance within seven days
after [receipt] acceptance of the variance application; and
(2) The disposition of all applications for a variance within seven days of the determination of the variance application.
[(c)] (e) The director of
business, economic development, and tourism may adopt rules pursuant to chapter
91 to impose and collect fees to cover the costs of administering variances
under this section. The fees, if any, shall be deposited into the energy
security special fund established under section 201-12.8.
[(d)] (f) Nothing in this
section shall preclude any county from establishing procedures and standards
required to implement this section.
[(e)] (g) Nothing in this
section shall preclude participation in any utility demand-side management
program or public benefits fee program under part VII of chapter 269."
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.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Solar Water Heater; Gas; Renewable Energy
Description:
Replaces the requirement that a variance application submitted by an architect or licensed mechanical engineer be accepted under certain conditions with the requirement that a variance application submitted by a new occupant of the house be accepted under certain conditions.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
