HR51.DOC

WHEREAS, Hawaiian Electric Company's Energy Solutions for the Home program has been instrumental in installing more than 39,000 residential solar water heating systems since the program's inception in 1996; and

WHEREAS, 75 percent of all homes in Hawaii still do not have solar water-heating systems; and

WHEREAS, Hawaiian Electric Company customers could save up to 90 percent on their water heating costs with solar water heaters; and

WHEREAS, even with current tax incentives, many homes in Hawaii are not installing solar water-heating systems; and

WHEREAS, there is ample sun in Hawaii to make solar thermal systems effective because an average 1,100-square-foot rooftop soaks up the energy equivalent of about 15 gallons of gasoline a day; and

WHEREAS, no other state is as dependent as Hawaii on oil for its electricity needs; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii sends billions of dollars a year out of state to import fuel for energy and getting more energy from our local resources will keep more of that money at home, creating jobs and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, in an age of international terror and other security threats at home and abroad, depending on imported oil is dangerous and much of the oil Hawaii uses comes from unstable and volatile nations; and

WHEREAS, oil prices are unstable and create a challenging economic climate and a transition away from electricity produced from oil would bring more stability to Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the Hawaiian Electric Company extend its Energy Solutions for the Home program for another 10 years and for an additional 10,000 customers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Hawaiian Electric Company.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Extending Energy Solutions for the Home program; HECO

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	51
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII