SB 1338 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO LONG DURATION CLEAN ENERGY STORAGE.

Summary

Renames the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program to the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program (Program). Amends the required activities of the Program, including conducting engineering and economic evaluations of potential locations for long duration clean energy storage and pumped storage hydroelectric projects. Renames the Hydrogen Investment Special Fund to the Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Investment Capital Special Fund. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Feb 14, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB1338 → SB1338_SD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands Hawaii's existing renewable hydrogen program to include long-duration clean energy storage technologies, creating a new investment fund and updating program activities to evaluate pumped storage hydroelectric projects and other storage options. The changes aim to address energy supply disruptions from climate change and extreme weather by diversifying energy storage beyond just hydrogen production.

Scope change

The bill broadens the scope from solely hydrogen-focused initiatives to include long-duration clean energy storage technologies, particularly pumped storage hydroelectric projects, while maintaining hydrogen development as a core component.

SCOPE

Renamed the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program to the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program to reflect expanded focus on energy storage technologies.

FISCAL

Renamed the Hydrogen Investment Special Fund to the Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Investment Capital Special Fund to align with the expanded program scope.

Appropriated $3,500,000 from the energy security special fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the expanded program activities.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement to conduct engineering and economic evaluations of potential locations for long duration clean energy storage, including pumped storage hydroelectric projects as a priority.

Added requirement to evaluate policy recommendations that encourage adoption of long duration clean energy storage and potential customers, including hydrogen-fueled vehicles.

Added requirement to minimize or avoid negative impacts on cultural heritage, productive agricultural land, and habitat when evaluating storage projects.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the Act to May 13, 2040, which is significantly later than typical legislative effective dates.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from EIG/EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 539) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kim.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG/EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-25 3:10PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to EIG/EDT, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors