This bill, signed into law by the Governor on July 15, 2026, directs the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels. The new rules must be adopted by January 1, 2028, and will establish a schedule to lower the carbon intensity of fuels used in the state. The standard aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% below 2019 levels by 2035 and 50% by 2045. By incentivizing cleaner fuels, the legislation seeks to support economic growth, improve public health, and promote the use of waste materials and renewable energy sources.
This bill, known as the Hawaii Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, directs the Public Utilities Commission to maintain the state's performance-based regulation model for electric utilities rather than reverting to a traditional cost-of-service system. The law reinforces the requirement that utility revenues must be tied to performance metrics such as reliability, renewable energy progress, and customer service, instead of being based on the utility's investment levels or projected costs. By codifying these rules, the legislation ensures that the state continues to prioritize customer savings and efficiency over rewarding utilities for increased capital expenditures. The measure directly affects Hawaii's electric utility companies and the ratepayers who pay their bills, aiming to prevent a return to a regulatory framework that could lead to higher costs for consumers.
This bill, signed into law on May 21, 2026, establishes income tax credits for individuals and businesses in Hawaii who install renewable energy systems. The primary mechanism provides a 35% tax credit for solar energy systems and a 20% credit for wind-powered systems, subject to specific cost caps that vary by property type and system size. To prevent large-scale commercial projects from receiving excessive credits, the law excludes systems with a capacity of five megawatts or more that require a new power purchase agreement approved after December 31, 2019. The bill also includes special provisions for solar systems integrated with pumped hydroelectric storage and allows multiple owners of a single system to share the credit based on their financial contribution.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to conduct an independent analysis of energy options that would reduce costs and financial risks for residents while meeting state renewable energy goals. The resolution calls for two separate evaluations to compare different strategies, including the potential impacts of importing liquefied natural gas versus expanding renewable energy and long-duration battery storage. The analysis is expected to cover energy planning through 2055 and assess how different paths affect consumer costs beyond the state's 2045 renewable energy target. This measure aims to ensure that future energy decisions are based on thorough, objective comparisons rather than assumptions that may limit the scope of available solutions.
This House Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to investigate and develop projects that combine renewable energy generation with existing agricultural reservoirs and irrigation systems. The bill proposes placing floating solar panels and small water turbines in water infrastructure to produce clean electricity without disrupting water delivery or requiring major construction. It encourages collaboration with farmers, local communities, and energy developers to identify suitable sites and conduct feasibility studies for pilot programs. The resolution aims to support Hawaii's clean energy goals while providing benefits like reduced water evaporation, improved water quality, and local economic opportunities.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to impose specific conditions before approving any liquefied natural gas-related costs for utilities. The bill requires that all LNG infrastructure costs be fully paid off by 2045, eliminates take-or-pay fuel contracts, prevents rate increases for Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties, and mandates utilities share fuel price volatility with customers. Additionally, the resolution asks the commission to deny LNG costs if cheaper renewable alternatives exist or if the agreement would lock utilities into purchasing more gas than needed for renewable energy operations. This measure directly affects Hawaiian Electric and other utilities by setting stricter financial and environmental criteria for approving natural gas projects.
PART I: Repeals certain future adjustments to income tax brackets. Changes income tax rates. Amends the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit by adding an aggregate cap amount, setting income thresholds, adding a certification requirement, and adding a sunset date. Adds sunset dates to the Capital Goods Excise Tax Credit and Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit. PART II: Beginning 1/1/2028, repeals the Technology Infrastructure Renovation Tax Credit. Beginning 1/1/2029, repeals the High Technology Business Investment Tax Credit and Tax Credit for Research Activities. (CD2)
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 Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to conduct an independent analysis of energy strategies that reduce costs and financial risks for residents while meeting state goals. The bill directs the commission to evaluate various options through 2055, including renewable energy and long-duration storage technologies, without limiting the scope to specific fuel types or pre-set assumptions. The analysis aims to compare different approaches to energy generation and storage to inform future planning and ensure decisions benefit the public interest.
This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to conduct an independent, comprehensive analysis of energy options that could reduce costs and financial risks for residents while meeting the state's renewable energy goals. The bill asks the commission to evaluate various strategies, including renewable energy and storage technologies, through 2055 and consider long-term impacts beyond the 2045 renewable energy deadline. The resolution directs the commission to engage external experts to ensure the analysis is objective and thoroughly examines different pathways for energy generation and storage. This measure focuses on informing future state and utility planning decisions rather than mandating specific actions or outcomes.
