Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
SB 585 authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to fund the construction of a biogas production facility by Bana Pacific Inc. The bill directly affects Bana Pacific Inc. by providing a financing mechanism for their facility, with bonds repaid through the facility's future revenue. Key provisions include enabling the company to borrow funds specifically for this project, backed by the facility's operational income rather than general tax revenue. This policy change creates a dedicated funding stream for the biogas facility without requiring taxpayer money.
Establishes green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects in the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Adds a definition of "green infrastructure". Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to submit a report to the Legislature making recommendations for implementing green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines.
Establishes a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions. Directs certain state agencies to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions. Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop methodologies to quantify carbon emissions reductions through marine ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Establishes the Blue Economy Working Group to study how to develop and support marine-based economic activities that align with the State's decarbonization and restorative food production goals. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Requires a landowner leasing agricultural sub-parcels on property used for agrivoltaics to prioritize lease offers for beginning farmers. Requires a landowner leasing agricultural sub-parcels on property used for agrivoltaics to submit an annual agrivoltaics compliance report to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Authorizes DAB to penalize any landowner that fails to meet agrivoltaics requirements. Authorizes the development of solar energy facilities on agricultural lands with productivity ratings of B, C, or D under certain conditions. Authorizes a county planning commission to issue special permits for agrivoltaics requirements before the approval of the Land Use Commission under certain conditions. (SD1)
Establishes a State goal to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the design of all new state building construction that includes parking to ensure that at least ten per cent of parking stalls are electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Transportation, and all other state agencies that own or manage state facilities that include parking, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to assess the costs of, and install, retrofits and electric vehicle charging system at high priority state facilities. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)
Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax and the amount collected from the tax that is deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Excludes from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system as a minor structure. Includes the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State. (SD1)
Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge for cost recovery of certain expenses of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator associated with the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Requires a report to the PUC on the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
