§226-18  Objectives and policies forfacility systems--energy.  (a)  Planning for the State's facility systemswith regard to energy shall be directed toward the achievement of the followingobjectives, giving due consideration to all:

(1)  Dependable, efficient, and economical statewideenergy systems capable of supporting the needs of the people;

(2)  Increased energy self-sufficiency where the ratioof indigenous to imported energy use is increased;

(3)  Greater energy security and diversification in theface of threats to Hawaii's energy supplies and systems; and

(4)  Reduction, avoidance, or sequestration ofgreenhouse gas emissions from energy supply and use.

(b)  To achieve the energy objectives, it shallbe the policy of this State to ensure the short- and long-term provision ofadequate, reasonably priced, and dependable energy services to accommodatedemand.

(c)  To further achieve the energy objectives,it shall be the policy of this State to:

(1)  Support research and development as well as promotethe use of renewable energy sources;

(2)  Ensure that the combination of energy suppliesand energy-saving systems is sufficient to support the demands of growth;

(3)  Base decisions of least-cost supply-side anddemand-side energy resource options on a comparison of their total costs andbenefits when a least-cost is determined by a reasonably comprehensive,quantitative, and qualitative accounting of their long-term, direct andindirect economic, environmental, social, cultural, and public health costs andbenefits;

(4)  Promote all cost-effective conservation of powerand fuel supplies through measures, including:

(A)  Development of cost-effective demand-sidemanagement programs;

(B)  Education; and

(C)  Adoption of energy-efficient practices andtechnologies;

(5)  Ensure, to the extent that new supply-sideresources are needed, that the development or expansion of energy systems usesthe least-cost energy supply option and maximizes efficient technologies;

(6)  Support research, development, demonstration, anduse of energy efficiency, load management, and other demand-side managementprograms, practices, and technologies;

(7)  Promote alternate fuels and transportation energyefficiency;

(8)  Support actions that reduce, avoid, or sequestergreenhouse gases in utility, transportation, and industrial sectorapplications;

(9)  Support actions that reduce, avoid, or sequester Hawaii's greenhouse gas emissions through agriculture and forestry initiatives; and

(10)  Provide priority handling and processing for allstate and county permits required for renewable energy projects. [L 1978, c100, pt of §2; am L 1986, c 276, §17; am L 1990, c 319, §2; am L 1994, c 96,§4; am L 2000, c 176, §1; am L 2007, c 205, §6; am L 2009, c 155, §17 and c156, §3]