URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO EXPLORE AND PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES TO COLOCATE COMMUNITY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATING PROJECTS WITH AGRICULTURAL RESERVOIRS AND IRRIGATION WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

HR170

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

170

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO EXPLORE
AND PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES TO colocate COMMUNITY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY
GENERATING PROJECTS with AGRICULTURAL RESERVOIRS AND IRRIGATION WATER
INFRASTRUCTURE
.

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WHEREAS, the
State of Hawaii has established ambitious clean energy goals, committing the
State to achieving one hundred percent renewable electricity by 2045 in order
to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, increase energy security, and
mitigate climate change; and

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WHEREAS, agricultural
reservoirs and irrigation systems across Hawaii represent underutilized
infrastructure assets that could support innovative renewable energy generation
technologies while continuing to serve essential water management functions;
and

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WHEREAS, renewable
energy technologies that can be colocated with water infrastructure include
floating solar photovoltaic systems and gravity-powered water energy generation
technologies that produce electricity from the movement of water through pipes,
canals, and irrigation systems without requiring dams or major alterations to
existing infrastructure; and

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WHEREAS, Hawaii
possesses an extensive network of agricultural reservoirs, irrigation ditches,
pipelines, and gravity-fed water delivery systems originally developed to
support plantation agriculture and now used to support diversified farming
across the islands, which creates opportunities to integrate renewable energy
technologies without interfering with irrigation operations; and

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WHEREAS, colocating
renewable energy systems with agricultural water infrastructure can provide
multiple benefits by generating clean electricity, reducing water evaporation
from reservoirs, reducing algae growth, improving water quality, improving
water management efficiency, preserving valuable agricultural lands for food
production, and lowering energy costs associated with water delivery and
pumping; and

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WHEREAS, community-based
renewable energy projects enable residents, farmers, and local businesses to
participate directly in the benefits of renewable energy generation, including
lower energy costs, local ownership opportunities, and increased economic
development in rural communities; and

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WHEREAS, numerous
community-led initiatives and local organizations across Hawaii are actively
working to develop community-scale renewable energy projects, which demonstrates
strong public interest in locally controlled clean energy solutions that
benefit farmers, residents, and communities; and

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WHEREAS, successful
examples of renewable energy generation colocated on water infrastructure
already exist in the United States, including floating solar photovoltaic
installations on reservoirs and water treatment facilities that generate clean
electricity while conserving water resources; and

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WHEREAS, a
study released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found significant
potential for floating solar photovoltaic systems on reservoirs in the United States;
and

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WHEREAS, the
study determined that reservoirs across the United States could host enough
floating solar panels to generate up to 1,476 hours of electricity, which means
that there are substantial opportunities to integrate renewable energy
generation with existing water infrastructure; and

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WHEREAS, gravity-powered
in-pipe hydropower systems capture energy from the natural movement of water
through pipelines, canals, and irrigation systems by installing turbines within
existing water conveyance infrastructure, which allows electricity to be
generated without dams or disruption to water delivery; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Hawaii Department of
Agriculture and Biosecurity is urged to explore and pursue opportunities to colocate
community-based renewable energy generating projects with agricultural
reservoirs and irrigation water infrastructure throughout the State; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department is encouraged to collaborate with farmers,
community organizations, electric utilities, renewable energy developers, and
other relevant stakeholders to identify suitable sites for floating solar and
gravity-powered water energy projects; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department is encouraged to support feasibility studies,
pilot projects, and demonstration projects that evaluate the technical,
economic, and environmental potential of renewable energy systems integrated
with agricultural water infrastructure; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that these projects should prioritize community-based renewable energy
participation opportunities and ensure that the benefits of renewable energy
generation are intended to meaningfully benefit local communities; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Chairperson
of the Public Utilities Commission, and Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii
State Energy Office.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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Department
of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Renewable Energy