Bill Text: HI SB680 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Energy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB680 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB680-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
680 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to energy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that imported oil supplies over ninety per cent of Hawaii's energy. This dependence on oil threatens Hawaii's land, air, and water, places the economy's security at risk, and is not sustainable. As a result, the State of Hawaii adopted the clean energy initiative to achieve seventy per cent clean energy by the year 2030. This clean energy initiative is rooted in the principle of maximizing cost effective investments in clean energy production and management to promote Hawaii's energy security. Along with reducing the dependency on fossil fuels and increasing efficiency measures, the clean energy plan contributes to the State's economic growth.
The legislature further finds that there are growing numbers of local Hawaii-based companies conducting research and development in clean energy technologies. Utilizing Hawaii's diverse renewable energy sources of solar, wind, hydroelectricity, bioenergy, and geothermal, these companies are showing the world, with their proven track record, that Hawaii is an ideal laboratory for the development of clean energy technologies. Many of these local research and development companies have also obtained federal funding to develop clean and alternative energy research and have created high-paying, high-skilled jobs.
The legislature also finds that it is important to Hawaii's future to support and strengthen these local companies to continue to conduct their research and development and to continue to support Hawaii's economy. For economic growth and diversification, it is in Hawaii's best interest to take important steps to encourage high-impact, clean energy solutions that encourage innovative economic development.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a matching grant program, similar to the small business innovation research grant program administered by the high technology development corporation, to further strengthen and support Hawaii's local companies conducting renewable energy research and development through existing contracts with the principal research division of the United States Department of Defense, Office of Naval Research.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism, a two-year alternative energy research and development pilot program to provide grants to qualified businesses conducting research and development in alternative energy. The purpose of the pilot program shall be to promote the research and development of alternative energy in Hawaii by authorizing the high technology development corporation to provide matching grants to businesses that meet criteria established in subsection (b).
(b) Subject to the availability of funds, the high technology development corporation may provide a grant to any business that:
(1) Has been awarded a grant from the Office of Naval Research related to the production of energy in the fields of geothermal, solar, wind, ocean power, hydroelectricity, bioenergy, biomass, or solid waste;
(2) Is eighty per cent or more resident-owned. For purposes of this paragraph, resident shall have the same meaning as defined in section 235-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes;
(3) Is a for-profit entity organized under the laws of the State;
(4) Has been doing business in the State for not less than thirty years;
(5) Agrees to expend all grant funds, awarded pursuant to this Act, in the State; and
(6) Conducts research in alternative energy that has a high technology readiness level or high potential for implementation;
provided that the amount of any grant awarded pursuant to this Act shall not exceed fifty per cent of the amount of the grant awarded to the business by the Office of Naval Research.
(c) The alternative energy research and development pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2019.
SECTION 3. There is established the alternative energy research and development revolving fund for the purpose of promoting alternative energy research and development in Hawaii.
The alternative energy research and development revolving fund shall be abolished on June 30, 2019, and all unencumbered balances shall lapse to the credit of the general fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to be deposited into the alternative energy research and development revolving fund.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the alternative energy research and development revolving fund the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purposes of providing grants pursuant to this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the high technology development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017, and shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Alternative Energy Research and Development Pilot Program; High Technology Development Corporation; Office of Naval Research Matching Grant; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes and appropriates funds for an alternative energy research and development pilot program that authorizes the high technology development corporation to provide matching grants of up to fifty per cent to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the Office of Naval Research.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
