Hawaii Incentives and Laws for Other
The list below contains summaries of all Hawaii incentives and laws related to Other.
Laws and Regulations
State Biofuel Study
The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, led by the Energy Resources Coordinator, must conduct a study and issue a report on the conditions and policies needed to expand biofuel production in Hawaii with the goal of displacing a significant amount of petroleum-based fuel. The report must include recommendations related to the need for mandates and any changes to the existing ethanol fuel standard. A preliminary report is due at least 20 days prior to the start of the 2012 legislative session and the final report is due at least 20 days prior to the start of the 2013 legislative session. (Reference Senate Bill 146, 2011)
Plug-in Electric Vehicle (EV) Parking Requirement
All public, private, and government parking facilities that are available for use by the general public and that include at least one hundred parking spaces must designate at least 1% of the spaces specifically for EVs by December 31, 2011. At least one of the parking spaces must be located near the building entrance, and spaces must be clearly marked and equipped with an EV charging unit that meets recognized standards. Owners of multiple parking lots may designate and install an EV charging unit in fewer parking spaces than required in one parking lot, as long as the total number of aggregate spaces for all parking lots is met. The spaces designated for EVs will continue to increase by 1% for each additional 5,000 registered EVs until the percentage reaches 10%. Penalties apply for non-EVs that park in parking spots designated for EVs. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 291-71 and 291-72)
Plug-in Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging System Requirements
A multi-family residential dwelling or townhouse owner may install an EV charging system at a parking stall at the dwelling as long as the system is in compliance with applicable rules and specifications; the system is registered within thirty days of installation; and the homeowner receives consent from the private entity if the system is placed in a common area. Private entities may adopt rules that restrict the placement and use of charging systems, but many not charge a fee for the installation of a vehicle charging system. The owner of a charging system is responsible for any damages resulting from the installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the system. A private entity includes any association of homeowners, community association, condominium association, or cooperative. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 196-7.5)
Plug-in Electric Vehicle (EV) Promotion
To achieve Hawaii's transportation efficiency goals and to create jobs, foster economic growth, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Hawaii Senate encourages the promotion of EV use in the state. As a first step, EV charging infrastructure must be developed. In addition, stakeholders should work together to expedite the use of EVs in Hawaii. Additionally, the Hawaii House of Representatives urges the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative End-Use Efficiency Work Group to address the challenges related to EV charging stations and access to electrical outlets to facilitate the use of EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. (Reference House Concurrent Resolution 230, 2010, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 126, 2009)
Alternative Fuel Standard Development
The state of Hawaii is responsible for facilitating the development of alternative fuels and supporting the attainment of a statewide alternative fuels standard. The alternative fuels standard will be as follows: alternative fuels will provide 10% of highway fuel use by 2010, 15% by 2015, 20% by 2020, and 30% by 2030. For the purposes of the alternative fuels standard, ethanol produced from cellulosic materials is equivalent to 2.5 gallons of non-cellulosic ethanol. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 196-42)
Alternative Fuels Promotion
The state of Hawaii has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Energy to collaborate to produce 70% of the state's energy needs from energy-efficient and renewable sources by 2030. This effort is part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. The goals of the partnership include defining the structural transformation required to transition the state to a clean energy-dominated economy; demonstrating and fostering innovation in the use of clean energy, including alternative fuels; creating opportunities for the widespread distribution of clean energy benefits; establishing an open learning model for other states and entities to adopt; and building a workforce with cross-cutting skills to support a clean energy economy in the state.
Biofuels Procurement Preference
State and county agency contracts for the purchase of diesel fuel are to be awarded with preference given to bids for biofuels or blends of biofuel and petroleum fuel. When purchasing fuel for use in diesel engines, the preference price is $0.05 per gallon of B100. For blends containing both biodiesel and petroleum-based diesel, the preference is applied only to the biodiesel portion of the blend. Biodiesel is a vegetable oil-based fuel that meets ASTM specification D6751. Biofuel is a fuel from non-petroleum plant or animal based sources that can be used for the generation of heat or power. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 103D-1012)
Hydrogen Energy Plan and Fund
The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism established the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program (Program) to manage the state's transition to a renewable hydrogen economy. A Hydrogen Investment Capital Special Fund was created to provide seed capital for, and venture capital investments in, private sector and federal projects for research, development, testing, and Program implementation. The Program is responsible for designing, implementing, and administering activities including:
- Strategic partnerships for research, development, testing, and deployment;
- Demonstration projects, including infrastructure for hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, and fueling hydrogen vehicles;
- Statewide hydrogen economy public education and outreach
- Promotion of Hawaii's renewable hydrogen resources to potential partners and investors;
- A plan, for implementation during 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
- Evaluation of policy recommendations to encourage the adoption of hydrogen vehicles, continually fund the Hydrogen Investment Capital Special Fund, and support investment in hydrogen infrastructure.
(Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 196-10 and 211F-5.7)