| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. (a) The Hawaii natural energy institute shall conduct a study to examine the potential for the production and use of renewable hydrogen in the State and the potential role of renewable hydrogen in achieving a local, affordable, reliable, and decarbonized energy system and economy. The study shall consider: (1) The feasibility of producing renewable hydrogen locally; (2) The power sources available for renewable hydrogen production and their relative costs; (3) Water usage needed for renewable hydrogen production; (4) The feasibility of storing renewable hydrogen and the safety considerations associated with renewable hydrogen production and storage; (5) Costs, benefits, and impacts compared to other fuel sources; (6) Potential end-user markets; (7) Permitting and regulatory hurdles, including infrastructure planning; (8) Use cases in which hydrogen would provide the most benefit, including considering power supply and transportation sectors; (9) The potential for locally produced renewable hydrogen as an export commodity or other revenue generating opportunity; (10) The technical feasibility, economic viability, and permitting requirements of local renewable hydrogen compared to the importation and distribution of bulk green hydrogen into the State from the United States and other countries; and (11) Other considerations deemed relevant and necessary. (b) The results of the study shall be used to inform energy planning, which may include a Hawaii hydrogen strategic plan, decarbonization efforts, and other ongoing work being undertaken by the Hawaii state energy office. (c) For the purposes of this section, "renewable hydrogen" means hydrogen produced entirely from renewable sources that have lifecycle emissions of no more than fifty grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour. SECTION 2. In conducting the study, the Hawaii natural energy institute shall, as appropriate, consult with the department of business, economic development, and tourism; Hawaii state energy office; public utilities commission; or any other applicable state or county agency. The Hawaii natural energy institute shall further consult with electric and gas utilities and other industry stakeholders, who are encouraged to cooperate and provide information or input. SECTION 3. The Hawaii natural energy institute shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, from the study to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2100. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The Hawaii natural energy institute shall conduct a study to examine the State's ability to advance hydrogen production from local renewable energy resources. The study shall consider: (1) Hydrogen resource availability and the feasibility to produce and use hydrogen locally; (2) Water usage needed for hydrogen production; (3) Costs, benefits, and impacts; (4) Potential end-user markets; (5) Permitting and regulatory hurdles, including infrastructure planning; (6) Use of hydrogen as a transportation fuel and grid-level resource; (7) Technical and economic feasibility and environmental benefits of using hydrogen in key areas to resolve resiliency issues; (8) Implementation pathways needed to facilitate the production, storage, and delivery mechanisms throughout the State; (9) Opportunities to combine utility and resource needs for hydrogen production and usage of waste products or renewable energy resources around the State; (10) Whether the construction of hydrogen projects in each county of the State is feasible, considering physical layouts of project sites, geographic limitations, and utility requirements; (11) Economic impact as an export commodity or other revenue generating opportunity; and (12) The technical feasibility, economic viability, and permitting requirements of local hydrogen production from renewable resources and the transportation of end use points compared to the importation and distribution of bulk green hydrogen into the State from the United States and other countries. SECTION 2. (a) The Hawaii natural energy institute shall develop a Hawaii hydrogen strategic plan utilizing the results of its study required by section 1 of this Act, which shall: (1) Develop a long-term hydrogen plan for 2023 through 2050; (2) Field non-governmental organization stakeholder input and identify implementation and deployment strategies to successfully build hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and fueling infrastructure across the State; (3) Review existing permitting application and review processes and identify amendments that may be necessary to develop standards for the construction of facilities that support hydrogen production, storage, transport, and dispensing; (4) Propose policies to encourage production and usage of hydrogen utilizing economic incentives, tax credits, tariffs, or other methods, to grow the supply of available hydrogen; (5) Provide recommendations that would facilitate implementation of the hydrogen plan, including legislation and necessary regulatory and economic investments; and (6) Specify strategies to reduce emissions, address disproportionate energy and transportation costs in neighbor island communities, and improve resiliency for the State. (b) The Hawaii natural energy institute shall review and update the plan required in subsection (a) every four years, beginning in 2027. SECTION 3. In conducting the study and developing the Hawaii hydrogen strategic plan required by sections 1 and 2 of this Act, respectively, and any updates thereto, the Hawaii natural energy institute shall, as appropriate, consult with the department of business, economic development, and tourism; the state energy office; public utilities commission; or any other applicable state or county agency, which shall cooperate and provide necessary resources as requested by the Hawaii natural energy institute. The Hawaii natural energy institute shall further consult with other electric utilities and industry stakeholders, who are encouraged to cooperate and provide information or input. SECTION 4. The Hawaii natural energy institute shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023, and for every year in which the Hawaii hydrogen strategic plan is reviewed, amended, or updated. SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the completion of the study and development of the Hawaii hydrogen strategic plan required by this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii natural energy institute for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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