HB2838

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that advancing the development of renewable energy technologies is important for the State's future, its energy stability and independence, and the protection of its citizens' public health and environment. The legislature finds that the development of renewable energy technologies in this state will help to reduce demand for foreign fuels, promote energy diversity, enhance system reliability, reduce pollution, and promote economic growth. The legislature finds that there is a need to assist in the development of market demand that will advance the commercialization and widespread application of renewable energy technologies. The legislature further finds that the state is ideally positioned to stimulate economic development through such renewable energy technologies due to its ongoing and successful research and development track record in these areas, an abundance of natural and renewable energy sources, an ability to attract significant federal research and development funds, and the need to find and secure renewable energy technologies for the benefit of its citizens, visitors, and environment. A grant program that is targeted specifically for renewable energy technologies can advance renewable energy technologies and the industry in the state and encourage the use of other incentives such as tax exemptions and regulatory certainty to attract additional renewable energy technology producers, developers, and users to the state.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a renewable energy technologies grant program to provide matching grants to stimulate capital investment in the state and to enhance the market for and promote the statewide use of renewable energy technology.

SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§196- Hawaii renewable energy technologies grant program. (a) There is established, within the department of business, economic development, and tourism, a Hawaii renewable energy technologies grant program to provide renewable energy matching grants for demonstration, commercialization, research, and development projects relating to renewable energy technologies.

(b) The program shall make matching grants for renewable energy technology demonstration, commercialization, research, and development projects to:

(1) Municipalities and county governments;

(2) Established for-profit companies licensed to do business in the state;

(3) Universities and colleges in the state;

(4) Utilities located and operating within the state;

(5) Not-for-profit organizations; and

(6) Other qualified persons, as determined by the coordinator.

(c) The coordinator shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91; provided that the rules shall be submitted to the legislature for review and subject to the approval of the governor, to provide for application requirements, ranking of applications, and administer the awarding of grants under this program.

(d) As used in this section:

"Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, private or public corporation, association, firm, public service company, or any other public or private entity.

"Renewable energy" means electrical, mechanical, or thermal energy produced from a method that uses one or more of the following fuels or energy sources: hydrogen, biomass, solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, ocean energy, waste heat, or hydroelectric power.

"Renewable energy technology" means any technology that generates or uses a renewable energy resource."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2838
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII