Bill Text: HI SB156 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Energy Conservation; Solar Water Heater Systems
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB156 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB156-Introduced.html
Report Title:
Energy Conservation; Solar Water Heater Systems
Description:
Requires all new development projects with over 50 units to install solar water heater systems and requires the counties to establish rules for the installation of solar water heater systems.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
156 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to energy conservation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the use of fossil fuels to heat water is one of the most significant contributors to environmental pollution. Its use also perpetuates Hawaii's dependence on imported petroleum products.
The legislature further finds that solar energy is the most abundant renewable energy resource in Hawaii. Using solar energy for water heating is the best "clean" energy alternative for homes in the State. In addition, the increased use of solar water heater systems will provide consumers with significant cost savings, compared to the use of traditional water heating resources that use petroleum products with unstable and increasing costs.
The concept of mandating solar water heating is not new. Israel has had this policy in place since 1957, recognizing the need to be petroleum independent from their neighboring countries. In the United States, more than 1.5 million homes and businesses currently use solar water heating.
The purpose of this Act is to increase the use of renewable energy to protect our environment, reduce pollution, and make housing more affordable by requiring the installation of solar water heater systems in all new condominiums or townhouses with fifty units or more and to require the counties to establish rules requiring the installation of solar water heater systems.
SECTION 2. Section 196-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§196-6.5[]]
Solar water heater system required for new single-family residential
construction. (a) On or after January 1, 2010, no building permit shall
be issued for a single-family dwelling or a condominium or townhouse with
fifty units or more, that does not include a solar water heater system that
meets the standards established pursuant to section 269-44, unless the energy resources coordinator approves
a variance[.]; provided that this requirement shall not apply to low-
and moderate-income housing projects as defined in section 39A-281. A
variance shall only be approved if an architect or engineer licensed under
chapter 464 attests that:
(1) Installation is impracticable due to poor solar resource;
(2) 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;
(3) A substitute renewable energy technology system, as defined in section 235-12.5, is used as the primary energy source for heating water; or
(4) A demand water heater device approved by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., is installed; provided that at least one other gas appliance is 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.
(b) A request for a variance shall be submitted to the energy resources coordinator on an application prescribed by the energy resources coordinator and shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the location of the property and justification for the approval of a variance using the criteria established in subsection (a). A variance shall be deemed approved if not denied within thirty working days after receipt of the variance application.
(c) By January 1, 2009, each county shall establish rules that require the installation of solar water heater systems in the construction of:
(1) Twenty-five per cent of all new residential single-family residences, condominiums, and townhouses, by 2015; and
(2) Fifty per cent of all new residential single-family residences, condominiums, and townhouses, by 2020.
Nothing in this section shall preclude any county from establishing procedures and standards required to implement this section.
(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude participation in any utility demand-side management program or public benefits fund under part VII of chapter 269."
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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