SB1065

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1065
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to renewable energy.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's fragile and unique environment is being negatively affected by the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and propane as energy sources. Our islands' isolated location makes it even more imperative that we become self-sufficient and use diversified energy sources.

Hawaii's global position makes it ideal for the development and application of renewable and sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, municipal solid waste, and ocean thermal. We have already experienced success with our solar water heating and photovoltaic and wind power generation efforts. The legislature further finds that the use of renewable energy to generate electricity is well established and increasing throughout the world with Fiji using seventy-nine per cent renewable energy, Austria using seventy-two per cent renewable energy, Samoa using almost forty per cent renewable energy, and California using thirty-one per cent renewable energy.

The purpose of this Act is to preserve and protect our environment and natural resources by prohibiting the construction of any new power plants that produce energy with fossil fuels.

SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§269- Renewable energy; prohibition of fossil fuel power plants. The public utilities commission shall ensure that any new construction by an electric utility company shall only be for the purpose of renewable electrical energy. The construction of any new power plants that generate energy with fossil fuels is prohibited."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________