Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Capitol Improvements; Sustainability

Description:

Makes an appropriation to the University of Hawaii to finance energy conservation and renewable energy matters to make Saunders hall at the University of Hawaii a campus and community model of sustainability and energy conservation.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2356
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to the University of Hawaii.

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

     SECTION 1.  The University of Hawaii at Manoa campus has provided leadership in sustainability and energy efficiency, beginning with the chancellor's energy summit in October 2006.

     With the leadership of the faculty and students, the Manoa campus has continued to pursue ways to reduce energy use and have committed to developing models for campus energy savings that can benefit the entire university and the broader community.

     Building on this commitment, the sustainable Saunders project was adopted as a pilot demonstration for campus energy savings by the Manoa sustainability council and over fifty students have since joined the effort to work on various projects from recycling to establishing a website to engage more campus residents.

     The sustainable Saunders project seeks to make Saunders hall, a seven story concrete building that houses twelve academic departments, research units, classrooms, and staff offices, a livable, sustainable, quality home to faculty, staff, and students.  Saunders hall is a major user of energy on the Manoa campus, using approximately 2.4 million kilowatt hours annually.  At the current cost of approximately sixteen cents per kilowatt hour, the annual energy cost is approximately $384,000.  This is a cost that will only increase over time.

     To address these concerns, Saunders hall sought and obtained support from the Hawaii energy policy forum's energy by example program, obtaining a preliminary energy efficiency audit.  The audit recommendations, if funded, can reduce or offset the building's energy load by an estimated thirty-nine per cent and would pay for itself in six and a half years.  More specifically, the current annual utility bill for Saunders hall can be reduced by installing various conservation and renewable energy measures, with a cost of $1,024,000.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,024,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the energy conservation and renewable energy measures that are part of the sustainable Saunders project at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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