Bill Text: HI SB424 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Kauai County Package; Solar Water Heating
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-22 - Referred to ENE/EGH. [SB424 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2013-SB424-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
424 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
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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 wellbeing 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 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. It is estimated that by relying on the sun for ninety per cent of its hot water demand, a family could save enough money to pay for the solar system in three to five 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, the legislature in 2008 passed Act 204 requiring solar water heaters on new single-family homes. However, the legislature finds that Act 204 allows variances from this requirement under vague and unjustified circumstances such that the purpose of Act 204 is being thwarted in many instances by the variance that allows tankless gas. Therefore, the legislature finds it is necessary to modify the wording of the law and clarify that the variance allowing tankless gas shall require application by an ultimate owner of the dwelling unit and only such owner. If the owner is not available, then the variance application shall not be accepted for processing and the variance shall not be available.
SECTION 2. Section 196-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(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. A variance application shall only be
accepted if submitted by an [architect]:
(1) Architect or mechanical engineer licensed under chapter 464, who attests that:
[(1)] (A) Installation is
impracticable due to poor solar resource;
[(2)] (B) 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)] (C) 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
[(4)] (2) Applicant who is responsible
for the dwelling energy consumption cost and who attests that:
(A) The applicant is or will be the owner of the new dwelling;
(B) The applicant has read the "Water Heating Life Cycle Cost Comparison" issued by the department of business, economic development and tourism; and
(C) A demand water heater device approved by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., is or will be installed; provided that at least one other gas appliance is or will be installed in the dwelling. For the purposes of this paragraph, "demand water heater" means a gas-tankless instantaneous water heater that provides hot water only as it is needed."
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:
Kauai County Package; Solar Water Heating
Description:
Extends solar water heater mandate to new duplexes. Limits a gas variance to an owner who is responsible for the energy consumption costs and who makes certain attestations.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
