HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	167
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the public utilities commission to submit a report to the legislature that examines the potential for adopting a clean energy standard based upon lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.

     WHEREAS, the definition of "renewable electrical energy" in part V of Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is ambiguous and allows for unanticipated loopholes to be exploited; and

     WHEREAS, attaining independence from detrimental reliance on fossil fuels has been a long-standing objective for the State; and

     WHEREAS, reducing the State's fossil fuel dependence and the consequent price volatility and attaining energy security and independence are critical; and

     WHEREAS, to achieve energy independence, the Legislature finds that a clean energy standard that prioritizes electricity technologies based on lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions is estimated to be up to 90 percent more cost effective in achieving clean energy goals than the current renewable portfolio standard because a lifecycle green house gas emissions-weighted clean energy standard provides guidance over the whole suite of possible energy technologies and fuels and encourages generation efficiencies; and

     WHEREAS, a clean energy standard also allows for partial credit for nonrenewable energies, scaled to the worst greenhouse gas emitter; and

     WHEREAS, energy infrastructure planning and energy independence require long-term planning; and
     WHEREAS, such planning is especially important because the year 2030 is now less than 20 years away; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2014 Regular Session that examines the potential for:

     (1)  Providing renewable energy preferences to certain renewable energy resources that reduce or eliminate the amount of fossil fuel used in the generation of the renewable energy and result in reduced energy transmission volatility;

     (2)  Developing a clean energy standard that provides an energy scale that provides for renewable energy credits to energy producers based upon lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions; and

(3)  Implementing a clean energy standard that replaces the current renewable portfolio standard; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Public Utilities Commission; Net Energy Metering