SCR122.DOC

WHEREAS, section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires the achievement of one hundred percent renewable energy generation, the highest percentage of all states in the United States, by December 31, 2045; and

WHEREAS, realizing a high penetration of as-available energy necessitates using a diverse range of renewable technologies; and

WHEREAS, utility-scale wind energy can supply clean energy when solar photovoltaic and other technologies are not producing energy; and

WHEREAS, the Island of Oahu offers few remaining acceptable locations for utility-scale wind turbines because of limited land area, limited wind resources, and widespread residential development; and

WHEREAS, floating offshore wind generation has the potential to generate cost-effective, clean energy when solar energy equipment is not producing energy, by utilizing strong offshore wind resources; and

WHEREAS, floating offshore wind generation provides the additional benefits of occupying minimal land area and operating at considerable distances from homes; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to title 26 United States Code section 48, time is of the essence to secure the federal business energy investment tax credit, which would provide a substantial energy cost savings to Hawaii residents for wind energy projects that are sufficiently advanced by 2019; and

WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Commission approves and oversees the energy procurement process and finally determines and approves such procurements that are reasonable and in the best interests of Hawaii's electric ratepayers; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Electric Company is responsible for procuring renewable energy generation, in what is typically a multi-year process; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for leasing areas of federal waters for siting potential offshore wind projects; and

WHEREAS, the United States Navy uses areas of the ocean around Oahu to support its mission of military readiness; and

WHEREAS, there are a number of issues that must be discussed and addressed between these and other state and federal agencies that currently utilize or have jurisdiction over offshore ocean waters; and

WHEREAS, the State Energy Office within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is the appropriate agency to facilitate discussions to bring various federal and state entities together to find solutions that:

(1) Resolve conflicts and evaluate various uses of offshore waters, including offshore wind energy projects;

(2) Remove barriers for greater renewable energy penetration and efficiency;

(3) Attract Hawaii-based clean energy research, development, and investments; and

(4) Align government laws, rules, and regulations;

now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State Energy Office within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is urged to facilitate discussions with the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Pacific OCS Region, United States Navy, United States Department of Defense-United States Pacific Command, Public Utilities Commission, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiian Electric Company, and offshore wind energy leaders to provide recommendations on how the State can promote, initiate, and support the development of renewable energy from offshore wind projects in time to utilize the federal business energy investment tax credit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.; Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc.; and Maui Electric Company, Limited; are requested to cooperate with the State Energy Office in these discussions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Energy Office report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2018; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Commander, United States Pacific Command; Commander, United States Navy, Navy Region Hawaii; Regional Director of the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Pacific OCS Region; Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Administrator of the State Energy Office; Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; and heads of the Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.; Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc.; and Maui Electric Company, Limited.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Offshore Wind Energy Projects

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	122
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII