ESTABLISHING THE LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON HAWAII'S FUTURE ENERGY PATHWAYS TO EXAMINE STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE COST SAVINGS WHILE MINIMIZING RISK TO RATEPAYERS OVER THE NEXT THREE DECADES AND ACHIEVING THE STATE'S ENERGY GOALS AND PRODUCING AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, RESILIENT, AND DECARBONIZED ENERGY.

HCR202

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

202

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Establishing the Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's
Future Energy Pathways to examine strategies to maximize cost savings while
minimizing risk to ratepayers over the next three decades and achieving the
State's energy goals and producing affordable, reliable, resilient, and
decarbonized energy
.

����
WHEREAS, Hawaii
has long relied on imported fossil fuels for most of its energy needs, exposing
residents and businesses to volatile global fuel markets and contributing to
some of the highest electricity costs in the nation; and

����
WHEREAS, transitioning
to locally available renewable energy resources offers an opportunity to reduce
long-term energy costs, strengthen energy independence, improve resilience, and
keep more energy dollars circulating within the State's economy; and

����
WHEREAS, Hawaii's
geographic isolation and reliance on imported fuels also create vulnerabilities
during natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, and other emergencies that
may interrupt fuel deliveries or strain centralized energy infrastructure; and

����
WHEREAS, an
energy system based on diverse local resources, distributed generation, and
modern grid technologies can improve system resilience and help communities
maintain access to power during extreme events; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State has established clear clean-energy goals, including the elimination of
the State's dependence on imported fuels of all types, and a requirement to
achieve one hundred percent renewable energy for electricity by 2045, making
the energy transition both a policy priority and a matter of state law; and

����
WHEREAS, Hawaii
now stands at a critical crossroads in energy policy as the State works to
transition to an electricity system having significantly higher levels of
variable renewable energy resources such as solar and wind energies; and

����
WHEREAS, achieving
this transition will require careful planning, improved coordination across
sectors, and consideration of emerging technologies, grid modernization
strategies, and lessons learned from other jurisdictions pursuing similar
energy transitions; and

����
WHEREAS, several
entities play important roles in shaping Hawaii's energy future, including the
Public Utilities Commission, the Hawaii State Energy Office, electric
utilities, and other public and private stakeholders; and

����
WHEREAS, these
entities often operate within distinct statutory mandates and institutional
roles that can limit opportunities for proactive, cross-sector examination of
long‑term energy pathways; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Legislature has the authority and responsibility to establish statewide energy
policy and long‑term statutory goals and is uniquely positioned to
convene stakeholders, facilitate collaboration, and bring together
policymakers, experts, and community voices to examine complex policy
challenges and identify solutions in the public interest; and

����
WHEREAS,
decisions regarding major energy infrastructure and fuel choices may have
long-term financial implications for ratepayers and may affect the State's
ability to achieve its energy independence and clean energy goals; and

����
WHEREAS, given
the magnitude of the decisions ahead, it is in the State's interest to convene
a legislative task force to examine potential energy pathways and identify
strategies that best advance affordability, resilience, reliability, and rapid
decarbonization; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that there is
established the Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways to
examine strategies to maximize cost savings while minimizing risk to ratepayers
over the next three decades and achieving the State's energy goals and
providing affordable, reliable, resilient, and decarbonized energy; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the task force evaluate potential pathways for Hawaii's energy
transition, including strategies for integrating high levels of renewable
energy and distributed energy resources into the power grid, reducing long‑term
energy costs for residents and businesses, strengthening energy independence
and resilience, and examining the potential risks, costs, and benefits
associated with proposed fossil fuel infrastructure investments, including
liquefied natural gas; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the task force consider lessons learned from other jurisdictions
pursuing rapid energy transitions and identify policy recommendations that will
help the State to maximize cost savings and minimize risk to ratepayers while
achieving its statutory clean energy goals and advancing the public interest;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways
consist of the following members:

����
(1)
�
The Chairperson of the House Committee having
jurisdiction over energy, or the chair's designee, who shall serve as
Chairperson of the task force;

����
(2)
�
A representative to be appointed by the
President of the Senate;

����
(3)
�
A representative of the Hawaii State Energy
Office, to be designated by the Chief Energy Officer;

����
(4)
�
A representative of the Public Utilities
Commission, to be designated by the Chairperson of the Public Utilities
Commission;

����
(5)
�
The Consumer Advocate, or the Consumer
Advocate�s designee;

����
(6)
�
A representative from the Hawaii Natural
Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii;

����
(7)
�
A representative of Hawaiian Electric Company,
to be invited by the Chairperson to be a member of the task force; and

����
(8)
�
A representative of the Kauai Island Utility
Cooperative, to be invited by the Chairperson to be a member of the task force;
and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
the Chairperson of the task force may invite additional stakeholders, subject
matter experts, representatives of community organizations, and experts from
other jurisdictions to participate in the task force's discussions and provide
information and technical assistance, as appropriate; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the task force submit an initial report of its findings,
recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than
twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2027, and a final report of its
findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation no later than twenty
days prior to the Regular Session of 2028; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chief Energy Officer
of the Hawaii State Energy Office; Chairperson of the Public Utilities
Commission; Consumer Advocate; Director of the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
of the University of Hawaii; President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaiian
Electric Company; and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Kauai Island
Utility Cooperative.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Legislative
Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways; DCCA; PUC; Consumer Advocate;
Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii; Hawaii State
Energy Office