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Hawaii Energy Policy Forum > Ten-Point Plan

A Ten-Point Plan
To Meet Hawaii's Preferred Energy Future
Adopted by the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum
(Revised: January 2007- July 2008)

Working Group Action Plans

Preamble
Hawaii’s preferred energy future requires a comprehensive integrated approach. 
The Hawaii Energy Policy Forum’s Ten Point Plan strives to:

1. Promote energy security and sustainability

2. Reduce energy consumption

3. Enhance regulatory goals & protections

4. Foster civic action & participation

5. Diversify energy sources 

 1.  Expand Renewable Energy Opportunities
Actions to be taken:

1. Work with the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), the utilities, industry and others to monitor the rate of “take up” by the market to: determine how well existing policies and incentives are working; submit periodic progress reports; identify barriers to effective implementation of programs and their successes and/or failures.

2. Monitor and report on the energy savings results of the Department of Education (DOE) solar pilot project, and if determined effective, expand to other schools.

3. Identify and report on promising renewable energy technologies (such as solar thermal electric, sea water air conditioning (SWAC), solar air conditioning and wave energy).  Recommendations will be made to the Forum regarding potential state energy initiatives and appropriate legislative or regulatory actions.

4. Explore wind/commercial solar/biomass/geothermal/hydro/wave Energy Development Zones

5.  Evaluate the need for incentives to support statewide waste-to-energy projects.

6. Improve Renewable Portfolio Standards:

1. Review and amend definition of “renewable energy” given the transfer of energy efficiency and other measures to the Public Benefit Funds Administrator.  Investigate the establishment of a separate energy efficiency portfolio standard

2. Amend the language regarding utility profitability

7. Expand and enhance Net Metering

8. Encourage renewable distributed generation

     
Actions taken:

1. Net Metering was expanded with the Commission’s Decision and Order No. 24089 on Docket No. 2006-0084.  The customer-generator and system limits were increased to 100 kW and 1% for the HECO Companies, and to 50 kW and 1% for KIUC.  The Commission’s D&O also provided a process for consideration of additional modifications to the law without the need for a hearing or legislative action.

2. Briefed legislature on renewable energy working group progress (annually since 2006)

3. Provided testimony which aided in the adoption of renewable energy related legislation in 2007, including:

1. HCR 280/HR 221, requesting DBEDT to conduct a feasibility study of a one-stop permit shop for renewable energy projects

2. Act 205 (SB 987), amending the definition of "renewable energy producer" to include producers of thermal energy from renewable energy resources for purposes of leasing public land; establishing as policy that state and county governments provide priority handling and processing of all state and county permits required for renewable energy projects

3. Act 165 (HB 870), allowing use of $20 million of special purpose revenue bonds (SPRBs) for Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC

4. Act 229 (HB 334), allowing use of $10 million of SPRBs for Sopogy (concentrating solar project at NELHA)

4. Provided testimony for legislation in 2008 Legislature, which resulted in:

1. Act 31(HB2502), making solar energy facilities a permitted use in the agricultural district on class D or E land

2. Act 208 (HB2505), establishing a temporary full-time renewable energy facilitator position

2.  Promote Conservation and Energy Efficiency
Actions to be taken:

1. Continue work with state agencies and the private sector to improve energy efficiency in buildings. Identify barriers and amendments to existing law or develop new law to advance energy conservation, renewable energy, and to reduce green house gas emissions.

2. Improve the Energy performance of State buildings.

1. HEPF’s preliminary energy assessments of the Hawaii State Capitol building in 2006-07, resulted in the retro-commissioning of the building; which will see energy savings of 25%.

2. Track the Capitol and other projects to promote and expand retro-commissioning services for other state facilities and quantify energy savings realized or anticipated.

3. Implement and track the use of commissioning and retro-commissioning services and energy performance contracts in state buildings.

4. Work closely with the UHM administration to demonstrate energy conservation and energy efficiency applications on the campus, including “Sustainable Saunders” activities, and explore energy efficiency measures on other UH campuses

5. Identify viable options for financing energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities

6. Develop case studies showing the financial benefits of implementing energy efficiency projects in state buildings.

7. Provide periodic reports for dissemination to the public.

Actions taken:

1. Supported adoption of Act 96, which established energy efficiency objectives in State Facilities efforts by the counties in developing model energy codes (2006).

2. Sponsored “Energy by Example” program, performing preliminary energy audits for the State Capitol, Saunders Hall on the UHM campus, Farrington High School, and United Laundry Service.  A report of the actions taken to date was produced in 2007. Additionally, support for the Sustainable Saunders project was recognized by the 2007 Legislature with adoption of HR 126; and efforts continue to obtain state CIP funding for the efficiency measures identified.

3. Supported adoption of Act 157 (HB 1787), which replaces definition of "energy-savings performance contract" with "energy performance contract" with the addition of commissioning and retro-commissioning; extends the maximum term of an energy performance contract from 15 to 20 years (2007)

4. Co-sponsored with Hawaiian Electric Company(HECO) a facilitated dialogue to develop “Ocean Energy Development Guidelines” (2007)

5. Supported 2008 legislation (Act 118), clarifying provisions of Chapter 269, Part VII, HRS, relating to the administration and use of moneys for energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs and services

6. UHM administration established new energy policy guidelines for the main campus as follows: (a) 30% reduction in overall campus energy use by 2012; (b) 50% reduction by 2015; and ©25% renewable energy supply by 2020; and appointed an Assistant Vice Chancellor to oversee the campus facilities and to ensure that energy performance of all new and existing buildings meet or exceed the Act 96 standards. Additionally, HECO and UHM are partnering to reduce large-scale energy use on the Manoa campus, including installation of an electricity-metering program.

7. The State Department of Education (DOE) initiated an incentive/disincentive energy conservation program for 280 schools statewide.

8. Hawaii Public Housing Authority is developing a performance-contracting Request for Proposals to initiate energy efficiency improvements in its state and federal public housing facilities.

9. DAGS retro-commissioned five state buildings; and is taking the lead on performance contracting initiatives

10. DBEDT completed a cost-benefit, life-cycle analysis for the new College of Education; and is developing a cost-benefit, life-cycle analysis for the State Capitol at LEED Silver.

3.  Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hawaii
Actions to be taken:

1. Monitor the actions of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Task Force.

2. Monitor actions of stakeholders, stakeholder groups, governmental agencies or other entities involved in the analysis, regulation or implementation of greenhouse gas measures and policies.

Actions taken:

1. Conducted a Greenhouse Gas Emissions panel discussion, which updated members and the public on the current state of the UH greenhouse gas emissions working group (2007)

2. Supported 2008 legislation (Act 235) appropriating $140,000 to establish two positions in DBEDT to support the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Task Force created by Act 234, SLH 2007.

4. Foster Civic Action and Participation
Actions to be taken:

1. Increase public awareness of energy initiatives in the community at large

2. Develop regular energy briefings for policy and community leaders

3. Create more informational material about energy issues

4. Enhance marketing and paid media activities to reach broader audiences

Actions taken:

1. Coordinated annual informational briefings before the House and Senate energy committees

(2006 to present)

1. Briefed Congressional delegation on energy issues, including their involvement on the HEPF since 2007

2. Invited panel presentation to the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Hawaii’s experience in developing sustainable energy in island states (2007)

3. Conducted public briefing on the “Plans and Priorities of the DBEDT and PUC” (2007)

4. Co-sponsored “Hawaii’s Climate Crisis,” a documentary aired on KHON and KGMB to bring awareness of the climate and energy crisis to the general public (2008)

5. Sponsored public briefing on the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) presented by the U.S. Department Of Energy and DBEDT (2008)

6. Invited presentation at the University of Ryukyus’ public forum on “Environmental Preservation

5.  Enhance Regulatory Goals and Protections          
Actions to be taken:

1. Monitor the implementation of recently adopted laws and actions regarding energy utility regulation and actions to be implemented by the PUC and Division of Consumer Advocacy (DCA)  (July 2006 – July 2008):

1. Implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standards

2. Implementation of a Public Benefits Fund and “Third Party” DSM administrator by the PUC

3. Greenhouse gas emission limits

4. Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative including proposed broad revisions to the utility regulation incentives framework.

2. Ensure that the PUC and DCA have the necessary resources to timely and fairly address regulatory issues.  (July 2006 – July 2008)

1. Monitor reorganization plans and support the agencies’ plans and funding in the 2009 legislature

2. Ensure that the Administration and the 2009 Legislature follow through with funding and staff positions consistent with the previously approved restructuring of the PUC.

Actions taken:

1. Supported adoption of Act 183 (HB 1004) and Act 177 (HB 1005), providing funding and staffing to restructure the DCA and PUC  (2007)

2. Commissioned a comprehensive study examining existing policies and regulations and recommending amendments to promote efficiency and renewable resource implementation (“Opportunities and Obstacles in Hawaii’s Laws to Implementing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources”) (2007)

3. Supported 2008 legislation (Act 118), clarifying provisions of Chapter 269, Part VII, HRS, relating to the administration and use of moneys supporting energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs and services and the status of the public benefits fee administrator

6. Encourage Culturally Appropriate and Sustainable Energy Planning
Actions to be taken:

1. Revitalize urban centers and rural plantation communities to promote healthy living environments and strong economies by rebuilding and upgrading local infrastructure so people can afford to live where they work

2. Expand the redevelopment of idled urban and plantation era "brownfield" lands into productive use

3. Maintain and expand the amount of “greenbelts” (that preserve from development certain undeveloped natural areas dedicated to agriculture and/or park space)

4. Develop strategies for culturally sensitive siting of renewable energy development

5. Develop culturally sensitive models for renewable energy

6. Explore ways in which indigenous communities can be major stakeholders in new technology and opportunities for energy production and energy conservation

Actions taken:

1. Facilitated dialogue on ocean energy development guidelines (2007)

7. Improve Energy Efficiencies and Options in Transportation
Actions to be taken:

1. Explore energy efficient strategies in the transportation sector

2. Develop indicator(s) to measure progress of energy efficient vehicles program and the implementation of the alternative fuel standard.

3. State Government Energy Efficiency Vehicle Report Card: work with DBEDT to monitor the effectiveness of energy efficient vehicle implementation actions in state departments and produce a departmental energy efficient vehicle report card

Actions taken:

1. Supported study of energy efficient strategies in the transportation sector, which resulted in Act 254 (HB869)(2007); and convened stakeholders to explore policies and strategies for making Hawaii a “transportation paradise.”  The work resulted in a proposed study and a report (“State of Hawaii Energy Efficiency in Transportation Strategies”) (January 2008) and subsequent study of energy efficient strategies in ground transportation (2008).

8. Support research and development of alternative fuels (hydrogen, wave energy, etc.)
Actions to be taken:

1. Recognize Hawaii as a premier demonstration site for the deployment of the hydrogen economy

2. Invest in long term research and development of alternative renewable energy resources such as hydrogen fuel cell technology, wave energy, etc

3. Seek funding for development of an ongoing energy strategy for renewables/hydrogen economy, including support for DBEDT’s implementation of the Renewable Hydrogen Program

4. Identify sites for demonstration of hydrogen production, distribution and use in both stationary and vehicle fuel cell applications

Actions taken:

1. Supported establishment of a hydrogen fuel cell test facility and for commercial fuel cell development

9. Support Sustainable development and use of biofuels  
Actions to be taken: 

1. Support use of biodiesel derived locally

2. Study and provide recommendations for possible paths for expansion of statewide ethanol and biodiesel production, including the long range implications and impacts of increased use

3. Encourage public procurement of biofuels for government vehicles

4. Adopt renewables fuels standard

5. Prepare a white paper on “Biofuels for Hawaii” addressing the use of biofuels for electricity and transportation needs. 

6. Support development of strong biofuels production and use in the state

Actions taken:

1. Assessed biofuel industry development in response to HCR 195, which resulted in a report to the Legislature ( “Biomass and Biofuels to Power Study” ) (2007)

2. Supported adoption of Act 159 (SB 1943), which adds biofuel processing facilities to the list of permitted uses in an agricultural district; establishes an energy feedstock program (2007)

3. Supported funding and staffing for DBEDT to develop the Hawaii Bioenergy Master Plan (2007 and 2008)

4. Convened public briefing on “Hawaii’s Pathway to Energy Independence” by Congressman Collin Peterson, Chair of US House Committee on Agriculture, which resulted in inclusion of funding for the Pacific Insular Sun Grant Center in the recently reauthorized 2008 Farm Bill (2007).

5. Convened public briefing on Hawaii’s biofuel research, titled “Hawaii’s Energy Future: What Will it Look Like?” (2008)

10. Ensure the security and reliability of energy supply and distribution
Actions to be taken:

1. Develop indicator(s) to measure the progress in developing secure and safe energy system

2. Develop systems that have endurance, hardening resistance, and can overcome vulnerabilities to potential acts of terrorism and natural disasters such as hurricanes and tsunamis.

3. Provide guidance to PUC to allow recovery of utility investments that improve grid security.

Actions taken:

1. In partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, commissioned a study to evalulated the natural gas options for Hawaii ( “Evaluating Natural Gas Import Options for the State of Hawaii”) (2007)

2. Monitored the implementation of adopted laws on energy utility regulation and actions of the PUC and DCA. See Act 182 (SB 990), Implementation of Petroleum Industry Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting (2007)

3. Supported advance preparedness for energy shortage emergencies due to oil market disruptions or natural or manmade disasters by securing the delivery of electric and gas services and protecting production and storage of fuel and fuel feedstocks for utility and transportation (ground, air and marine) uses.

4. Monitored the work of the Hawaii Harbors User Group and the State Harbors, to work together on a statewide Harbor Modernization Plan to upgrade harbors infrastructure, ensuring adequate harbor capacity to avoid disruption in the delivery of hydrocarbon and biofuels as well as other cargos. Supported adoption of Act 127 (HB 250), which establishes a formal partnership between the Aloha Tower Development Corporation and the Department of Transportation Harbors Division for the development of the Honolulu Harbor infrastructure

 

10-Point Plan Assignments to the HEPF Working Groups

“Point”	Working Group	WG Chair(s)	Email Address
1.Expand Renewable Energy Opportunities	Renewables	Warren Bollmeier Mark Duda	wsb@lava.net mark@suntechhawaii.com
2. Promote Conservation & Energy Efficiency	Energy Efficiency	Stephen Meder Kyle Datta Darren Kimura	smeder@hawaii.edu kyledatta@yahoo.com dkimura@sopogy.com
3.  Reduce Green House Gas Emissions in Hawaii	GHG Emissions	Carl Freedman/ Mike Hamnett	jcfm@hawaiiantel.net mhamnett@rcuh.com
4.  Foster Civic Action & Participation	Communication/ Outreach	Peter Rosegg William Kaneko Mitch Ewan	peter.rosegg@heco.com wkaneko@ahfi.com ewan@hawaii.edu
5.  Enhance Regulatory Goals & Protections	Regulatory Reform	Carl Freedman	jcfm@hawaiiantel.net
6.  Encourage Culturally Appropriate & Sustainable Energy Planning	Social & Cultural Impacts	Mark Glick Val Tavai	markg@oha.org valt@hcapweb.org
7. Improve Energy Efficiency & Options in Transportation	Energy Efficiency	Meder/Datta/Kimura	smeder@hawaii.edu kyledatta@yahoo.com dkimura@sopogy.com
8.  Support Research & Development of Alternative Energy Sources	Renewables	Bollmeier/Duda	wsb@lava.net mark@suntechhawaii.com
9.  Support sustainable development & use of biofuels	Renewables	Bollmeier/Duda	wsb@lava.net mark@suntechhawaii.com
10.  Ensure the security & reliability of energy supply & distribution	Hydrocarbon Future	Lance Tanaka Lynne Ebisui	ltanaka@tsocorp.com lebisui@hawaiigas.com

 

The Hawaii Energy Policy Forum adopted a preferred energy vision for Hawaii of achieving “ Smart energy solutions to sustain a healthy prosperous, and secure Hawaii.”