THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	41
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INSTALL RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES ON THE PREMISES OF AS MANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS IS FEASIBLE.

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii faces difficult challenges in the field of energy, including an overdependence on fossil fuels; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii imports ninety percent of its energy; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii expends $9,000,000,000 a year by importing fossil fuels; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy through, among other things, the adoption of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has a variety of abundant renewable energy resources such as solar and wind; and

 

     WHEREAS, pursuing and promoting the use of renewable energy in state facilities will result in substantial cost savings for the State in the long term, as well as set a positive example for other people and entities across the State, particularly students; and

 

     WHEREAS, public schools use most of their energy during the day, when solar and wind resources are most readily available; and

 

     WHEREAS, the installation of renewable energy facilities on school sites will reduce the schools' consumption of energy provided from outside sources, including fossil fuels; and

 

     WHEREAS, leasing school premises to a renewable energy producer and entering into power purchase agreements to purchase electricity from the producer may be a cost-effective means of initiating and sustaining renewable energy use within school facilities; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Superintendant of Education is urged to facilitate the installation of renewable energy facilities, such as photovoltaic arrays, on the premises of as many public schools as is feasible in an expeditious manner; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Superintendant of Education is encouraged to consider the option of leasing school premises to a power producer and entering into power purchase agreements to purchase electricity from the producer for a fixed term at an established rate; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education (DOE) is requested to submit a report to the Legislature regarding the feasibility of installing renewable energy facilities on DOE properties, including a list of schools at which the installation of renewable energy facilities would be most practicable no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Executive Director of the Charter School Administrative Office, and Energy Resources Coordinator.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Urging the Department of Education to install renewable energy facilities on DOE properties.