This bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways to study strategies for transitioning the state's energy system over the next three decades. The task force will examine how to reduce electricity costs for residents and businesses while minimizing risks to ratepayers and meeting Hawaii's legal goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. Members will review options for integrating renewable resources like solar and wind, evaluate potential fossil fuel investments, and learn from other states' energy transitions. The committee will include representatives from the House energy committee, the Senate, and the Hawaii State Energy Office to coordinate their findings and recommendations.
This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation to work with utility companies to create a statewide plan for fixing or removing old and unsafe utility poles and power lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk road areas. The plan would involve assessing the condition of aging infrastructure, prioritizing repairs based on safety risks like wildfire potential and traffic volume, and establishing clear rules for who is responsible for maintenance and funding. The Department of Transportation must submit a detailed report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session outlining the proposed schedule, responsible parties, and any legal barriers to implementation. This resolution does not mandate immediate action but sets up a framework for coordinated planning between state agencies and private utility providers to improve public safety.
Expands the types of water heater systems that may satisfy the relevant requirement for the issuance of a building permit for new single-family dwellings to include ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
This bill urges state agencies to form a working group to explore ways to protect Hawaii residents from rising insurance costs and reduced coverage due to climate change. The group would assess the state's exposure to extreme weather, identify existing recovery options, and analyze legal strategies to seek financial recovery from fossil fuel companies accused of contributing to climate disasters. Key members would include the Insurance Commissioner, Attorney General, and representatives from relevant government agencies and insurance associations. The working group is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to state committees by early 2027, with the group dissolving by June 2027.
This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to create a temporary working group to evaluate the state's utility infrastructure capacity and lifespan, particularly for the City and County of Honolulu. The working group will include representatives from government agencies, utility companies, and labor unions to assess current service levels, identify aging infrastructure, and analyze the costs of expanding systems to meet growing community demands. The study aims to provide data on potential funding gaps, projected rate increases, and whether existing permits are straining utility capacity, ultimately supporting more informed community planning and infrastructure investment decisions.
By 7/1/2027, requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to establish a self‑certification process for certain behind‑the‑meter, customer‑sited solar distributed energy resource systems that deems permit applications approved and allows applicants to proceed to build solar distributed energy resource systems immediately. Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to develop guidance for determining specific conditions when a Federal Emergency Management Agency-mandated No-Rise Certification is not required for a solar distributed energy resource system located in a regulatory floodway. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for continued exploration and identification of geothermal resources and commercial viability for utility-scale geothermal production in counties with a population of less than 300,000, with certain limitations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist qualifying households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain information and assistance to recipients of the program. Appropriates funds to implement the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist eligible households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain information and assistance to recipients of the program. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Specifies that adjustments required to compensate for certain unavoidable increases in financing costs, if proven by a producer of nonfossil fuel generated electricity by clear and convincing evidence, are mechanisms for reasonable and appropriate incremental adjustments that the Public Utilities Commission may include in the rate payable to the producer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
