Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HB351 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 351 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to long duration clean energy storage. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
2	2
3	3	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 351
4	4	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
5	5	STATE OF HAWAII
6	6
7	7	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
8	8
9	9	H.B. NO.
10	10
11	11	351
12	12
13	13	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
14	14
15	15
16	16
17	17	STATE OF HAWAII
18	18
19	19
20	20
21	21
22	22
23	23
24	24
25	25
26	26
27	27
28	28
29	29
30	30
31	31	A BILL FOR AN ACT
32	32
33	33
34	34
35	35
36	36
37	37	relating to long duration clean energy storage.
38	38
39	39
40	40
41	41
42	42
43	43	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
44	44
45	45
46	46
47	47	SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the ability to store locally produced clean energy supports resilience, reliability, and affordability of the State's energy supply. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to support the continued development and storage of resilient, sustainable, and locally produced clean energy in the State and to make the State competitive for clean energy storage federal grants by: (1) Amending the Hawaii renewable hydrogen program and hydrogen investment capital special fund to encompass a broader focus on long duration clean energy storage; and (2) Transferring responsibility for the program to the Hawaii state energy office. SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§196- Long duration clean energy storage investment capital special fund. (a) There shall be established the long duration clean energy storage investment capital special fund, into which shall be deposited: (1) Appropriations made by the legislature to the fund; (2) All contributions from public or private partners; (3) All interest earned on or accrued to moneys deposited in the special fund; and (4) Any other moneys made available to the special fund from other sources. (b) Moneys in the fund shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office: (1) To provide seed capital for and venture capital investments in private sector and federal projects for research, development, testing, and implementation of the Hawaii long duration clean energy storage program, as set forth in section 196-10; and (2) For any other purpose deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of section 196-10." SECTION 3. Section 196-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows: "[[]§196-10[]] Hawaii [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage program. There is established[,] within the [department of business, economic development, and tourism,] Hawaii state energy office a Hawaii [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage program [to manage the State's transition to a renewable hydrogen economy]. The program shall design, implement, and administer activities that include: (1) Strategic partnerships for the research, development, testing, and deployment of [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage technologies[;], including renewable hydrogen, pumped storage hydroelectricity, batteries, and other technologies; (2) Engineering and economic evaluations of Hawaii's potential for [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage use and near-term project opportunities for the State's renewable energy resources; (3) Electric grid reliability and security projects that will enable the integration of a substantial increase of electricity from renewable energy resources on the island of Hawaii; (4) [Hydrogen] Long duration clean energy storage demonstration projects, including infrastructure for the production, storage, and refueling of hydrogen vehicles; hydroenergy storage; pumped storage hydroelectricity; battery storage; and other technologies; (5) A statewide [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage public education and outreach plan focusing on the island of Hawaii, to be developed in coordination with Hawaii's public education institutions[;], and to include education on renewable hydrogen and other technologies; (6) Promotion of Hawaii's [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage resources, including renewable hydrogen, to potential partners and investors; [(7) A plan, for implementation during the years 2007 to 2010, to more fully deploy hydrogen technologies and infrastructure capable of supporting the island of Hawaii's energy needs, including: (A) Expanded installation of hydrogen production facilities; (B) Development of integrated energy systems, including hydrogen vehicles; (C) Construction of additional hydrogen refueling stations; and (D) Promotion of building design and construction that fully incorporates clean energy assets, including reliance on hydrogen-fueled energy generation; (8) A plan, for implementation during the years 2010 to 2020, to transition the island of Hawaii to a hydrogen-fueled economy and to extend the application of the plan throughout the State; and (9)] (7) Evaluation of policy recommendations to: (A) Encourage the adoption of [hydrogen-fueled vehicles;] long duration clean energy storage and the identification of potential customers for the storage; (B) Continually fund the [hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage investment capital special fund; and (C) Support investment in [hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage infrastructure, including [production, storage, and dispensing facilities.] storage for renewable hydrogen, pumped storage hydroelectricity, and other technologies; and (8) Engineering and economic evaluations of potential locations for long duration clean energy storage, prioritizing locations for storing pumped storage hydroelectricity, that: (A) Maximize the ecological, social, and economic benefits of nearby resources and make the best use of agricultural and recreational lands; and (B) Minimize or avoid negative impacts on cultural sites, productive agricultural lands, and animal habitats." SECTION 4. Section 206M-63, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed. ["[§206M-63] Hydrogen investment special fund. (a) There shall be established the hydrogen investment special fund, into which shall be deposited: (1) Appropriations made by the legislature to the fund; (2) All contributions from public or private partners; (3) All interest earned on or accrued to moneys deposited in the special fund; and (4) Any other moneys made available to the special fund from other sources. (b) Moneys in the fund shall be expended by the development corporation: (1) To provide seed capital for and venture capital investments in private sector and federal projects for research, development, testing, and implementation of the Hawaii renewable hydrogen program, as set forth in section 196-10; and (2) For any other purpose deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of section 196-10."] SECTION 5. All rights, powers, functions, and duties of the department of business, economic development, and tourism related to the administration of the renewable hydrogen program are transferred to the Hawaii state energy office. All employees who occupy civil service positions and whose functions are transferred to the Hawaii state energy office by this Act shall retain their civil service status, whether permanent or temporary. Employees shall be transferred without loss of salary, seniority (except as prescribed by applicable collective bargaining agreements), retention points, prior service credit, any vacation and sick leave credits previously earned, and other rights, benefits, and privileges, in accordance with state personnel laws and this Act; provided that the employees possess the minimum qualifications and public employment requirements for the class or position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable civil service and compensation laws. Any employee who, prior to this Act, is exempt from civil service and is transferred as a consequence of this Act may retain the employee's exempt status, but shall not be appointed to a civil service position as a consequence of this Act. An exempt employee who is transferred by this Act shall not suffer any loss of prior service credit, vacation or sick leave credits previously earned, or other employee benefits or privileges as a consequence of this Act; provided that the employees possess legal and public employment requirements for the position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable employment and compensation laws. The chief energy officer may prescribe the duties and qualifications of these employees and fix their salaries without regard to chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes. SECTION 6. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the long duration clean energy storage program, including the hiring of any temporary staff that may be needed to support the transfer of the program to the Hawaii state energy office. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 7. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
48	48
49	49	SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the ability to store locally produced clean energy supports resilience, reliability, and affordability of the State's energy supply.
50	50
51	51	Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to support the continued development and storage of resilient, sustainable, and locally produced clean energy in the State and to make the State competitive for clean energy storage federal grants by:
52	52
53	53	(1) Amending the Hawaii renewable hydrogen program and hydrogen investment capital special fund to encompass a broader focus on long duration clean energy storage; and
54	54
55	55	(2) Transferring responsibility for the program to the Hawaii state energy office.
56	56
57	57	SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
58	58
59	59	"§196- Long duration clean energy storage investment capital special fund. (a) There shall be established the long duration clean energy storage investment capital special fund, into which shall be deposited:
60	60
61	61	(1) Appropriations made by the legislature to the fund;
62	62
63	63	(2) All contributions from public or private partners;
64	64
65	65	(3) All interest earned on or accrued to moneys deposited in the special fund; and
66	66
67	67	(4) Any other moneys made available to the special fund from other sources.
68	68
69	69	(b) Moneys in the fund shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office:
70	70
71	71	(1) To provide seed capital for and venture capital investments in private sector and federal projects for research, development, testing, and implementation of the Hawaii long duration clean energy storage program, as set forth in section 196-10; and
72	72
73	73	(2) For any other purpose deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of section 196-10."
74	74
75	75	SECTION 3. Section 196-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
76	76
77	77	"[[]§196-10[]] Hawaii [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage program. There is established[,] within the [department of business, economic development, and tourism,] Hawaii state energy office a Hawaii [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage program [to manage the State's transition to a renewable hydrogen economy]. The program shall design, implement, and administer activities that include:
78	78
79	79	(1) Strategic partnerships for the research, development, testing, and deployment of [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage technologies[;], including renewable hydrogen, pumped storage hydroelectricity, batteries, and other technologies;
80	80
81	81	(2) Engineering and economic evaluations of Hawaii's potential for [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage use and near-term project opportunities for the State's renewable energy resources;
82	82
83	83	(3) Electric grid reliability and security projects that will enable the integration of a substantial increase of electricity from renewable energy resources on the island of Hawaii;
84	84
85	85	(4) [Hydrogen] Long duration clean energy storage demonstration projects, including infrastructure for the production, storage, and refueling of hydrogen vehicles; hydroenergy storage; pumped storage hydroelectricity; battery storage; and other technologies;
86	86
87	87	(5) A statewide [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage public education and outreach plan focusing on the island of Hawaii, to be developed in coordination with Hawaii's public education institutions[;], and to include education on renewable hydrogen and other technologies;
88	88
89	89	(6) Promotion of Hawaii's [renewable hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage resources, including renewable hydrogen, to potential partners and investors;
90	90
91	91	[(7) A plan, for implementation during the years 2007 to 2010, to more fully deploy hydrogen technologies and infrastructure capable of supporting the island of Hawaii's energy needs, including:
92	92
93	93	(A) Expanded installation of hydrogen production facilities;
94	94
95	95	(B) Development of integrated energy systems, including hydrogen vehicles;
96	96
97	97	(C) Construction of additional hydrogen refueling stations; and
98	98
99	99	(D) Promotion of building design and construction that fully incorporates clean energy assets, including reliance on hydrogen-fueled energy generation;
100	100
101	101	(8) A plan, for implementation during the years 2010 to 2020, to transition the island of Hawaii to a hydrogen-fueled economy and to extend the application of the plan throughout the State; and
102	102
103	103	(9)] (7) Evaluation of policy recommendations to:
104	104
105	105	(A) Encourage the adoption of [hydrogen-fueled vehicles;] long duration clean energy storage and the identification of potential customers for the storage;
106	106
107	107	(B) Continually fund the [hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage investment capital special fund; and
108	108
109	109	(C) Support investment in [hydrogen] long duration clean energy storage infrastructure, including [production, storage, and dispensing facilities.] storage for renewable hydrogen, pumped storage hydroelectricity, and other technologies; and
110	110
111	111	(8) Engineering and economic evaluations of potential locations for long duration clean energy storage, prioritizing locations for storing pumped storage hydroelectricity, that:
112	112
113	113	(A) Maximize the ecological, social, and economic benefits of nearby resources and make the best use of agricultural and recreational lands; and
114	114
115	115	(B) Minimize or avoid negative impacts on cultural sites, productive agricultural lands, and animal habitats."
116	116
117	117	SECTION 4. Section 206M-63, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
118	118
119	119	["[§206M-63] Hydrogen investment special fund. (a) There shall be established the hydrogen investment special fund, into which shall be deposited:
120	120
121	121	(1) Appropriations made by the legislature to the fund;
122	122
123	123	(2) All contributions from public or private partners;
124	124
125	125	(3) All interest earned on or accrued to moneys deposited in the special fund; and
126	126
127	127	(4) Any other moneys made available to the special fund from other sources.
128	128
129	129	(b) Moneys in the fund shall be expended by the development corporation:
130	130
131	131	(1) To provide seed capital for and venture capital investments in private sector and federal projects for research, development, testing, and implementation of the Hawaii renewable hydrogen program, as set forth in section 196-10; and
132	132
133	133	(2) For any other purpose deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of section 196-10."]
134	134
135	135	SECTION 5. All rights, powers, functions, and duties of the department of business, economic development, and tourism related to the administration of the renewable hydrogen program are transferred to the Hawaii state energy office.
136	136
137	137	All employees who occupy civil service positions and whose functions are transferred to the Hawaii state energy office by this Act shall retain their civil service status, whether permanent or temporary. Employees shall be transferred without loss of salary, seniority (except as prescribed by applicable collective bargaining agreements), retention points, prior service credit, any vacation and sick leave credits previously earned, and other rights, benefits, and privileges, in accordance with state personnel laws and this Act; provided that the employees possess the minimum qualifications and public employment requirements for the class or position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable civil service and compensation laws.
138	138
139	139	Any employee who, prior to this Act, is exempt from civil service and is transferred as a consequence of this Act may retain the employee's exempt status, but shall not be appointed to a civil service position as a consequence of this Act. An exempt employee who is transferred by this Act shall not suffer any loss of prior service credit, vacation or sick leave credits previously earned, or other employee benefits or privileges as a consequence of this Act; provided that the employees possess legal and public employment requirements for the position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable employment and compensation laws. The chief energy officer may prescribe the duties and qualifications of these employees and fix their salaries without regard to chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
140	140
141	141	SECTION 6. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the long duration clean energy storage program, including the hiring of any temporary staff that may be needed to support the transfer of the program to the Hawaii state energy office.
142	142
143	143	The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.
144	144
145	145	SECTION 7. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
146	146
147	147	SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
148	148
149	149
150	150
151	151	INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
152	152
153	153	INTRODUCED BY:
154	154
155	155	_____________________________
156	156
157	157
158	158
159	159
160	160
161	161	Report Title: HSEO; Renewable Energy; Long Duration Clean Energy Storage; Special Fund; Appropriation Description: Amends the Hawaii renewable hydrogen program and hydrogen investment capital special fund to include a broader focus on long duration clean energy storage. Transfers responsibility for the program to the Hawaii State Energy Office. Appropriates funds. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
162	162
163	163
164	164
165	165
166	166
167	167	Report Title:
168	168
169	169	HSEO; Renewable Energy; Long Duration Clean Energy Storage; Special Fund; Appropriation
170	170
171	171
172	172
173	173	Description:
174	174
175	175	Amends the Hawaii renewable hydrogen program and hydrogen investment capital special fund to include a broader focus on long duration clean energy storage. Transfers responsibility for the program to the Hawaii State Energy Office. Appropriates funds.
176	176
177	177
178	178
179	179
180	180
181	181
182	182
183	183	The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.