[N.]  Hawaii Natural Energy Institute

 

[§304A-1891]  Hawaii natural energyinstitute; structure; function.  (a)  There is established the Hawaii natural energy institute at the University of Hawaii.  The institute shall beadministered by a director to be appointed by the board of regents uponrecommendation by the president.  The director of the institute shall appointthe professional members of the staff and other employees.  The president andboard of regents shall have the same powers over the institute and its staff asover the university and its facilities.

(b)  The director of the institute shallcoordinate the institute's work with the energy resources coordinator incarrying out duties pursuant to section 196-4 in the area of research anddevelopment of renewable energy sources.

(c)  The institute shall:

(1)  Develop renewable sources of energy for powergeneration and transportation fuels by working in coordination with stateagencies, federal agencies, and private entities;

(2)  Conduct research and development of renewablesources of energy;

(3)  Demonstrate and deploy efficient energy end-usetechnologies, including those that address peak electric demand issues;

(4)  Aggressively seek matching funding from federalagencies and private entities for its research and development anddemonstration activities; and

(5)  Report annually to the legislature, no later thantwenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, on its activities,expenditures, contracts developed, advances in technology, its work incoordination with state agencies and programs, and recommendations for proposedlegislation. [L 2007, c 253, pt of §2]