PART I.Ā GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Note

 

Ā  Sections 196-1 to196-7 designated as Part I by L 2002, c 77, Ā§10.

Ā  Developingguidelines.Ā  L 2002, c 77, Ā§Ā§11 to 14.

Ā  Photovoltaic rebateprogram (repealed June 30, 2013).Ā  L 2008, c 151.

 

Cross References

 

Ā  Renewable energyfacility siting process, see chapter 201N.

 

Ā§196-1Ā  Findings and declaration ofnecessity.Ā  The legislature finds that:

(1)Ā  The global demand for petroleum and itsderivatives has resulted in a significant and fundamental market escalation inoil prices, has caused severe economic hardships throughout the State, andthreatens to impair the public health, safety, and welfare.

TheState of Hawaii, with its near total dependence on imported fossil fuel, isparticularly vulnerable to dislocations in the global energy market.Ā  Thissituation can be changed, as there are few places in the world so generouslyendowed with natural energy: geothermal, solar radiation, ocean temperaturedifferential, wind, biomass, waves, and currents, which are all potentialnon-polluting power sources;

(2)Ā  There is a real need for comprehensive strategicplanning in the effort towards achieving full use of Hawaii's energy resourcesand the most effective allocation of energy resources throughout the State.Ā Planning is necessary and desirable in order that the State may recognize anddeclare the major problems and opportunities in the field of energy resources.Ā Both short-range and long-range planning will permit the articulation of:

(A)Ā  Broad policies, goals, and objectives;

(B)Ā  Criteria for measuring and evaluatingaccomplishments of objectives;

(C)Ā  Identification and implementation ofprograms that will carry out such objectives; and

(D)Ā  A determination of requirements necessaryfor the optimum development of Hawaii's energy resources.

Such planning efforts will identify presentconditions and major problems relating to energy resources, their exploration,development, production, and distribution.Ā  It will show the projected natureof the situation and rate of change, present conditions for the foreseeablefuture based on a projection of current trends in the development of energyresources in Hawaii, and include initiatives designed to fundamentally changehow Hawaii consumes energy by accelerating the production of renewable andalternative energy, increasing energy efficiency, developing and adopting newtechnologies, and ensuring the State's energy security;

(3)Ā  The State requires an in-depth understanding ofthe causes and effects of any transitional issues and trends related to changesin the State's energy resources, systems, and markets;

(4)Ā  There are many agencies of the federal, state,and county governments in Hawaii, as well as many private agencies and a broadset of non-governmental entities, engaged in, or expressing an interest in,various aspects of the exploration, research, distribution, transportation,storage, conservation, and production of all forms of energy resources inHawaii.Ā  Some of these agencies include the University of Hawaii; thedepartment of land and natural resources; the department of business, economicdevelopment, and tourism; the division of consumer advocacy; the publicutilities commission; the state civil defense agency; the federal energyoffice; and various county agencies, as well as Hawaii's energy andenergy-related companies; and

(5)Ā  There is an ongoing need in this State tocoordinate the efforts of statewide industry and government energy interests;maintain the technical capability and adequate capacity to quantitatively andqualitatively evaluate, analyze, develop, and coordinate implementation ofprivate and public sector energy planning efforts; recommend market-basedpolicies to develop Hawaii's energy resources, systems, and markets; establishand coordinate programs to preserve and protect the State's energy security,maintain a robust energy emergency preparedness program, and effectuate theconservation of energy resources to provide for the equitable distributionthereof; and to formulate plans for the development and use of alternativeenergy sources.Ā  There is a need for coordination, capability, and capacity, sothat there will be maximum conservation and use of energy resources in the State.[L 1974, c 237, Ā§1; am L 1987, c 336, Ā§7; am L 1990, c 293, Ā§8; am L 2006, c96, Ā§5; am L 2009, c 153, Ā§2]