Bill Text: HI SB372 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Renewable Energy.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [SB372 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB372-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
372 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
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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. The legislature finds that Hawaii is ranked as one of the highest in the United States for solar power generation per capita. In addition to exporting electricity generated by customers to the electricity grid, Hawaii can create a more comprehensive and long-term solution that solves the problem of excess electricity generation during daylight hours. Solar power will be key to achieving the State's goal of generating one hundred per cent of the State's electricity from renewable energy sources by 2045.
The legislature also finds that energy storage is one solution to the problem of excess electricity generation during daylight hours. However, energy storage is usually expensive and limited in capacity. A second solution is to sell excess electricity to consumers such as computer companies or agricultural growers during daylight hours at the net cost to the electric utility. The sale of excess electricity from the grid to consumers at net cost is known as "smart imports".
The legislature further finds that smart imports can reduce electricity rates and effectively use the abundance of solar power during daylight hours. This can help more Hawaii residents and businesses transition to using electric vehicles through low or no-cost charging during daylight. Smart imports can significantly boost the solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle industries.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require electric utilities to offer excess electricity during daylight hours at cost to consumers to help create a more sustainable Hawaii.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VI to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269- Smart imports; solar energy; excess electricity. (a) Beginning January 1, 2023, electric utilities shall offer excess electricity at cost to consumers during daylight hours to be used for any legal purpose.
(b) For purposes of this section:
"At cost" means the net cost to the
electric utility of electricity. "At
cost" may be zero or less than zero.
"Smart imports" means the sale of excess electricity from electric utilities to consumers."
SECTION 3. The public utilities commission shall initiate
a proceeding to study other states' smart imports programs, solar and energy storage
solutions, and related solutions to excess electricity generation and propose a
"smart imports program" in Hawaii to be implemented no later than January
1, 2023. The public utilities commission
shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed
legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening
of the regular session of 2022.
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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Report Title:
Smart Imports; Excess Electricity; Solar Energy
Description:
Requires the Public Utilities Commission to study and recommend how to implement a smart imports program in Hawaii. Requires electric utilities to offer excess electricity to consumers during daylight hours at cost for any legal purpose beginning 1/1/2023.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
