REPORT TITLE:
Solar Pwr; Govt. Buildings


DESCRIPTION:
Directs government agencies to install photovoltaic cells and
batteries in essential facilities and schools.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           512
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
 


BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that section 226-18,
 
 2 Hawaii Revised Statutes, states that the energy-related goals of
 
 3 the State are to provide dependable, efficient, and economical
 
 4 statewide energy systems capable of supporting the needs of the
 
 5 people; to increase self-sufficiency and the use of indigenous
 
 6 sources of energy; and to provide greater energy security in the
 
 7 face of threats to Hawaii's energy supplies and systems.  
 
 8      Hawaii exports $200,000,000 a year to buy foreign oil to
 
 9 provide for the State's energy needs.  Hawaii's isolated location
 
10 makes the State vulnerable to natural disasters and other
 
11 emergencies.  Major disasters and emergencies have the potential
 
12 to destroy the infrastructure for the production and distribution
 
13 of electricity, compounding the affects of the catastrophe.  It
 
14 is imperative that critical government facilities such as police,
 
15 fire, and ambulance services are operational under the adverse
 
16 conditions of major natural disasters or other emergencies.
 
17      The legislature further finds that Hawaii is the most
 
18 advanced industrialized state nearest the equator.  The
 
19 University of Hawaii has the technological capability to become a
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           512
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 world leader in photovoltaic research and Hawaii is in an ideal
 
 2 location for the testing and use of photovoltaic systems.  
 
 3      The purpose of this Act is to provide for greater energy
 
 4 self-sufficiency in government agencies by requiring the
 
 5 installation of photovoltaic systems.
 
 6      SECTION 2.  Starting in the year 2000, all government
 
 7 agencies shall begin the process of installing and using
 
 8 photovoltaic systems and energy storage devices on buildings that
 
 9 house government facilities that provide critical services during
 
10 natural disasters and other emergencies.  The department of
 
11 education shall also begin the process of installing and using
 
12 photovoltaic systems and energy storage devices on all newly
 
13 constructed or renovated school buildings.  The installation of
 
14 this equipment shall be at a rate of not less than three per cent
 
15 of all the state government buildings and three per cent of all
 
16 county buildings per year.
 
17      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
18 
 
19                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________