Bill Text: HI HB1476 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To Biofuels.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-01-30 - Referred to EEP, AGR, FIN, referral sheet 6 [HB1476 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2017-HB1476-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1476
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to biofuels.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State has the goal of achieving one hundred per cent clean energy by the year 2045.  However, currently Hawaii is the most fossil fuel dependent state in the nation.  Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuel can best be explained in large part by the State's economic dependence on tourism and the military, as well as the reliance on the shipping industry to deliver consumer goods and industrial materials.  Reducing Hawaii's reliance on fossil fuels and generating one hundred per cent of the State's energy from renewable resources will help Hawaii's economy by keeping an estimated $3,000,000,000 in the State that would otherwise be spent on imported oil.

     The legislature further finds that biofuels could significantly advance the State's clean energy goals.  Biofuels use organic matter to produce a predictable supply of green energy that can be stored in presently used power plants.  Additionally, biofuels can be locally produced, directly creating job growth in the energy and farming industries.  In May of 2016, the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance provided a Pacific Biodiesel plant with the first United States-based certification of sustainability for a biodiesel plant.  This certification reflects an investment in biofuel technology that has led to increases in the technology's efficiency, profitability, and sustainability as a renewable energy source.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to establish the advanced biofuels pilot project to expand the use of biofuels in an effort to achieve Hawaii's goal of becoming one hundred per cent clean energy dependent by 2045.

     SECTION 2.  (a) The department of agriculture shall:

     (1)  Establish a two-year advanced biofuels pilot project in at least two counties to expand the use of biofuels in an effort to achieve Hawaii's goal of becoming one hundred per cent clean energy dependent by 2045;

     (2)  Partner with the Hawaii state energy office, county governments, and any appropriate nonprofit organizations and private businesses to design and implement the pilot project; and

     (3)  No later than December 31, 2018, assess the implementation of the pilot project, including the pilot project's effectiveness for:

         (A)  Producing clean energy and reducing carbon emissions;

         (B)  Reducing dependence on fossil fuels;

         (C)  Identifying biofuel production opportunities and economic connections between biofuel and farming industries;

         (D)  Identifying possibilities for developing biofuel production on vacant agricultural land;

         (E)  Identifying best practices for modernizing and optimizing biofuel technology;

         (F)  Identifying appropriate methods of pricing, valuing, and delivering biofuels to businesses and consumers; and

         (G)  Making recommendations for a statewide program to increase biofuel production and capacity, including the potential number of jobs created by increasing investment in biofuel production.

     (b)  Based on the department of agriculture's assessment of the advanced biofuels pilot project, the department shall determine whether to continue, expand, or end the pilot project.

     (c)  The department of agriculture 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 2019.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           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 establishment and implementation of the two-year advanced biofuels pilot project.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; Advanced Biofuels Pilot Project; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the department of agriculture to establish a two-year advanced biofuels pilot project to expand the use of biofuels in achieving the goal of 100 percent clean energy dependence by 2045.  Requires a report to the legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2019.  Makes an appropriation.

 

 

 

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