Governor signs bill setting 100 percent renewable energy goal in power sector

Gov. David Ige on Monday signed into law four energy bills, including one that directs utilities to generate 100 percent of their electricity sales from renewable energy resources by 2045.

The bill makes Hawaii the first state in the nation to set a 100 percent renewable portfolio standard for the electricity sector, the governor’s office said about HB623, which passed the state Legislature this year. It was also noted that Hawaii spends roughly $5 billion annually on foreign oil to meets its energy needs.

“Making the transition to renewable, indigenous resources for power generation will allow us to keep more of that money at home, thereby improving our economy, environment and energy security,” Ige said.

Another measure signed into law Monday, SB1050, will help democratize renewable energy by creating a structure that will allow renters, condominium owners and others who have been largely shut out of Hawaii’s clean energy transformation, to purchase electricity generated at an off-site renewable energy facility, such as a large-scale solar farm.

Ige said the bill, establishing a community-based renewable energy program, will be particularly valuable on Oahu where there is a high concentration of high-rise condominiums that lack sufficient roof space to support on-site solar panels. The law is also expected to provide relief to homeowners and businesses who are located on saturated circuits that cannot accommodate additional PV installations.

Ige also signed into law Monday a measure that sets a net-zero energy goal for the University of Hawaii System (HB1509) and another that designates a state hydrogen implementation coordinator (HB1296).