Bill Text: HI SB3051 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To Renewable Energy Projects.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-27 - Referred to EET/WTL/CPH, JDC/WAM. [SB3051 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB3051-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3051
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that it is in the public interest to protect and preserve Hawaii's historic and cultural heritage.  Hawaii's heritage is largely shaped by small rural communities throughout all the islands.

     The legislature further finds that the Na Pua Makani wind energy project threatens the health and well-being of the residents of Kahuku on the island of Oahu, it is improperly sited, and it has become a divisive project that could harm the implementation of future renewable energy projects the State is relying on to meet the clean energy initiative.

     The legislature therefore declares that it is in the public interest to terminate the Na Pua Makani project by negotiating a mutually acceptable agreement with Na Pua Makani, to be determined by the governor.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Authorize the governor, or the governor's designee, to terminate the Na Pua Makani wind energy project; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the termination of the Na Pua Makani wind energy project.

     SECTION 2.  The governor, or the governor's designee, shall immediately initiate negotiations with Na Pua Makani, any other entity or person that holds an interest in the project, and their successors in interest, to terminate the Na Pua Makani wind energy project in Kahuku.  Financing to complete the purpose of this act may be by one or more of the following means:

     (1)  Appropriations made by the legislature from the general fund or any special funds;

     (2)  General obligation bonds authorized by the legislature;

     (3)  Federal funds;

     (4)  Private funds, financing, or donations; or

     (5)  Any other means of financing the governor or the governor's designee may negotiate.

     SECTION 3.  The public utilities commission shall notify Na Pua Makani and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. that full curtailment of energy production by this project shall remain in effect until the conclusion of negotiations to terminate the project.

     SECTION 4.  If an agreement to terminate this project is not reached within a reasonable time, as determined by the governor, or the governor's designee, the governor, or the governor's designee, shall instruct the board of land and natural resources to cancel the lease of state land to Na Pua Makani, shall petition the public utilities commission to vacate the power purchase agreement, shall notify Malaekahana Hui West, LLC that Na Pua Makani will not be permitted to operate, and shall inform all other relevant stakeholders.

     SECTION 5.  The governor, or the governor's designee, shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021 regarding its efforts to terminate the aforementioned project and its recommendations, if any.

     SECTION 6.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to be deposited into the special land and development fund.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 7.  There is appropriated out of the special land and development fund the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the termination of the Na Pua Makani wind energy project.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 8.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Wind Energy; Governor; DLNR; Terminate; Na Pua Makani; Appropriation

 

Description:

Authorizes the governor, or the governor's designee, to terminate the Na Pua Makani wind energy project.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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