Bill Text: HI SB1261 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Renewable Energy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [SB1261 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB1261-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1261 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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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:
With one of the State's primary areas of focus being economic recovery and resilience in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the legislature recognizes the importance of elevating the State's growing clean energy industry, which can diversify the economy, create new jobs, contribute to workforce development, and help the State meet critical energy goals. The legislature also finds that it is imperative for all state agencies to control their energy usage and lower their utility bills in the interest of being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
The legislature further finds that the State has long recognized its responsibility to mitigate the effects of natural and man-made emergencies that can result in extreme peril to life, property, and the resources of the State. In 2021, the legislature made history by becoming the first state in the United States to declare a climate emergency. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 44, S.D.1, H.D.1 (2021) acknowledges that an existential climate emergency threatens humanity and the natural world, declares a climate emergency, requests statewide collaboration toward an immediate transition and emergency mobilization effort to restore a safe climate, and requests entities statewide to pursue these climate mitigation and adaptation efforts and mobilize at the necessary scale and speed.
The legislature further finds that the growing climate crisis threatens the health and well-being of the State's residents through the impacts of extreme weather events. Stronger storms as a result of global warming are more likely to cause power outages, which can be costly in terms of lives lost, economic impact, and public health. Additionally, extreme weather events can result in severe damages to port infrastructure at the State's harbors, resulting in disruption of port activity and the delay or loss of cargo shipments, including those containing emergency supplies. The legislature acknowledges that building the State's resilience to the effects of global warming is in the best interest of the State's residents.
The legislature further finds that to ensure that preparations within the State will be adequate to deal with the emergencies caused by climate change, particularly in situations involving disruptions to the electric grid and port activity, state agencies, and in particular, first responders, must have the ability to function fully to assist with recovery efforts. Maintaining electricity at facilities, especially for first responders, is therefore paramount.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Require each department to prepare a report assessing
the feasibility of installing distributed energy resource systems at each of
its facility;
(2) Require departments to implement and install the distributed energy resource systems for each of its facilities, as detailed in the reports no later than five years from the issue date of the reports; and
(3) Give priority for the required energy efficiency measures to first responder facilities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§196- Distributed
energy resource installation for state facilities; reports. (a) State departments shall assess
the feasibility of installing distributed energy resource systems at each of
its facilities and provide a report detailing the findings as follows:
(1) Beginning on January 1, 2024, for each state facility that has not been retrofitted pursuant to section 36-41 since 2010; and
(2) Beginning on January 1, 2026, for each other state facility.
(b) State departments shall implement and install the distributed energy resource systems for each facility, as detailed in the reports required by subsection (a) no later than five years from the date the applicable report is submitted; provided that no entity shall claim tax credits or deductions, or depreciate assets under title 14 for implementing energy efficiency measures pursuant to this section; provided further that nothing in this subsection shall prohibit state facilities from implementing energy efficiency measures sooner than indicated by the reports required by subsection (a).
(c)
Priority for the implementation and installation of energy efficiency
measures required by this section shall be given to first responder facilities.
(d)
For the purposes of this section:
"Distributed energy resource
system" means an assembly of energy generating or energy storing
materials, or any combined assembly of solar energy generating and energy
storing materials, sited at or on a facility and the related infrastructure
necessary for the facility's operation.
"Energy efficiency measure"
means any energy services, projects, and equipment, including but not limited
to building or facility energy conservation enhancements, demand management, or
demand response retrofits, which may include energy saved offsite by water or
other utility enhancing retrofits, to improve the energy efficiency or reduce
energy costs of the facility.
"Facility" means a structure under the control of any department of the state.
"First responder facility" means a facility used by firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, or other individuals who, in the course of their professional duties, responds to fire, medical, hazardous material, or other similar emergencies."
SECTION 3. 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:
Renewable Energy; State Facilities; First Responder Facilities; Solar Energy
Description:
Requires state facilities to prepare a report assessing the feasibility of installing distributed energy resource systems at each facility. Requires state facilities to implement and install the distributed energy resource systems detailed in the reports no later than five years from the issue date of the reports. Gives priority for the required energy efficiency measures to first responder facilities.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
