|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2357 |
|
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
S.D. 2 |
|
|
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. This Act is intended to establish a basis for measurement of the renewable resources used by a gas utility to produce natural gas, biogas, or biofuels. This Act recognizes that there are numerous renewable energy resources in the State that can be used to contribute to the production of energy for use locally and are currently being reviewed and tested to determine if any are technically and economically sustainable. The legislature finds that the State's gas utility is considering a pilot program to determine whether it is practicable to process renewable resources such as plant oil, animal fat, and landfill gas into a feedstock for gas manufacturing which would produce by-products consisting of a biogas to offset the use and consumption of petroleum-based fuel and biofuels or biofeedstocks for use by third parties.
It is in the best interest of the State that all renewable resources which contribute towards reducing the State's dependence on imported petroleum are accurately, consistently, and fairly measured to determine whether the State, as a whole, is making positive strides to meets its goal of reducing its dependency on imported petroleum.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269- Gas utility companies; renewable energy; reporting requirements. (a) Each gas utility company shall submit an annual report to the public utilities commission on or before June 30 of each year including the following information:
(1) The ratio of petroleum feedstock to total feedstock used to produce natural gas, biogas, biofuels, or biofeedstocks sold in the State;
(2) The ratio of non-petroleum feedstock to total feedstock used to produce natural gas, biogas, biofuels, or biofeedstocks sold in the State;
(3) The energy quantity in therms of natural gas, biogas, or gallons of biofuels or biofeedstocks sold in the State produced from petroleum feedstock; and
(4) The energy quantity in therms of natural gas, biogas, or gallons of biofuels or biofeedstocks sold in the State produced from non-petroleum feedstock energy.
Within thirty days of receipt of the report, the public utilities commission shall submit the information required by paragraphs (1) and (2) to the legislature. Due to the proprietary nature of the information required by paragraphs (3) and (4), that information shall remain confidential and not subject to disclosure by the public utilities commission. The first report required by this section shall be submitted no later than December 15, 2011.
(b) For the purposes of this section:
"Feedstock" means a material that is converted, consumed, or blended to produce an end use product.
"Total feedstock" means petroleum and non-petroleum feedstock combined.
"Non-petroleum feedstock" includes but is not limited to plant and animal fats and oils, algae and algae products, other organic material, organic waste, municipal solid waste, waste water, or sewage."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Renewable Energy; Gas Utility; Reporting Requirements
Description:
Requires gas utility companies to annually report to the public utilities commission information on the use of renewable energy resources. Defines feedstock, total feedstock, and non-petroleum feedstock. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.