Report Title:

Energy Efficiency; Appliances

Description:

Directs the DBEDT to investigate membership in the Multi-State Compliance Standard Collaborative and the Appliance Standard Awareness Project and report to the legislature.  Directs DBEDT to make rules to enforce appliance efficiency standards.  Prohibits the sale of appliances in the State after January 1, 2015, that do not meet efficiency standards.  (SD2)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	555
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is dependent on imported fuel for the generation of the vast majority of electricity in the State.  In addition to making Hawaii's energy supply vulnerable to external market forces, using fossil fuels to generate power creates pollution that damages Hawaii's natural environment and contributes to global warming and climate change.  It is in Hawaii's best interest to conserve energy wherever possible, and the use of energy efficient appliances is one method that would produce savings in every household and business.

     The legislature finds that California has become a pioneer in this area of conservation by adopting strict appliance efficiency regulations.  Over the past decade, the energy savings resulting from California's regulations are believed to have saved that state from having to build twenty new power plants.  Moreover, these efficiency standards are a significant reason why California is in the bottom fifth of all states for per capita electricity use.

     The legislature finds that Hawaii would benefit from the development of efficiency standards for appliances sold in the State.  Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to direct the department of business, economic development, and tourism to adopt rules relating to energy efficiency standards for appliances sold in this State. 

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

"§196‑   Appliance energy efficiency; rules. (a)  Beginning January 1, 2015, no new appliance that does not meet the standards for energy efficiency as established by rules adopted by the public benefits fund administrator pursuant to sections 269-121 to 124 shall be sold or offered for sale in the State.

(b)  No later than January 1, 2013, the director of business, economic development, and tourism shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for energy efficiency standards for appliances sold in the State.  Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be consistent with the appliance efficiency rules enacted by the public benefits funds administrator of the public utilities commission pursuant to sections 269-121 to 124."

     SECTION 3.  The department of business, economic development and tourism shall investigate the advantages and disadvantages of joining the Multi-State Compliance Standard Collaborative, the Appliance Standard Awareness Project, or both, for the purposes of gathering information and receiving assistance with implementing the requirements of this measure.  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall report the results of its investigation and its recommendations for action to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2011 regular session. 

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect July 1, 2020.