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SB2369
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2369
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO COMBUSTION-FREE ENERGY
SOLUTIONS
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that settlement of the
Navahine F. v. Hawai
ʻ
i
Department of Transportation
CIV. NO. 1CCV-24-0000269 (Hawai
ʻ
i
Cir. Ct.) case requires that the department of transportation establish a
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Plan to implement legislative requirements to
achieve zero emissions by 2045 across all sectors of transportation in the
State, including ground and interisland sea and air transportation modes.
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Any combustion of carbon-based fuels releases
greenhouse gas emissions and cannot be a legitimate part of any state GHG
reduction plan; therefore, the transportation sector can only achieve zero
emissions once the electric generation sector is combustion-free.
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The legislature additionally finds that
many alternative fuels actually have worse GHG impacts than the fossil fuels
they replace, rely largely on imports, and would make energy far more expensive
for local residents than a transition plan based on conservation, efficiency,
electrification, and combustion-free clean, renewable energy sources coupled
with energy storage strategies.
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It is in
the best interest of state consumers, taxpayers, and ratepayers to invest
public incentives into the most clean and cost-effective solutions with minimal
imports and without building new infrastructure that would need to be phased
out prematurely in order to complete a second major infrastructure transition
by the State's 2045 targets.
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Therefore,
the legislature believes that further research is essential to the development
of a successful approach to transitioning the State to carbon-free, renewable
energy sources.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
require the Hawaii state energy office to commission a study of various energy
consumption sectors and possible avenues for effective decarbonization.
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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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The Hawaii state energy office shall
commission a study of the different energy consumption sectors, including
electricity, transportation, and heating, to determine which sector can be most
quickly and cost-effectively decarbonized through additional public investment
in combustion‑free renewable energy sources.
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(b)
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The
study shall:
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(1)
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Evaluate only:
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(A)
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Residential, commercial and industrial sectors
for electricity and heating consumption; and
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(B)
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Ground transportation, sea and air interisland
transportation, and international cargo shipping; and
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(2)
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Include
and prioritize conservation and efficiency strategies, including but not
limited to storage strategies to ensure firm energy.
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(c)
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The Hawaii state energy office shall submit a report of its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no
later than December 31, 2026.
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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
HSEO;
Decarbonization; Renewable Energy Sources; Study; Report
Description:
Requires
the Hawaii State Energy Office to commission a study of various energy sectors
relating to cost-effective methods for decarbonization.
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Requires a report to the Legislature.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.