Appropriates funds to DOE to develop a plan to provide air conditioning in all public school facilities within ten years and incorporate the use of energy conservation initiatives throughout the department's facilities.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. It is the State's duty to provide a proper environment conducive to learning for its public school students. However, the legislature finds that although Hawaii has a tropical climate, many of the state public school classrooms are not equipped with air conditioning systems. Unfortunately, Hawaii's climate can produce heated unbearable classroom environments that can hinder a child's academic abilities.

The legislature further finds that the increasing cost of oil and the growing demand for electricity makes the promotion of renewable energy technology an important conservation initiative. Currently, state law requires the State to establish policies designed to increase energy self-sufficiency and energy security including the use of renewable resources. Hawaii is blessed with an abundance of renewable resources including wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal resources, ocean thermal energy conversion, and wave energy.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to develop a plan to provide air conditioning to all its public school facilities within ten years and to incorporate the use of energy conservation initiatives throughout its facilities.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of education shall develop a plan to provide for air conditioning systems in all public schools within ten years and incorporate energy conservation initiatives in public school facilities. The plan shall include recommendations for the following:

(b) The energy, resources, and technology division of the department of business, economic development, and tourism shall provide any necessary assistance to the department of education in the development of the plan.

(c) The department of education shall submit the plan to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2006 regular session.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, to develop a plan to provide air conditioning systems for public schools within ten years and incorporating energy conservation initiatives in public school facilities.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2005.