Three new laws in Hawaii promoting the use of alternative energy sources have been recently signed by its governor, Linda Lingle, the Associated Press reported last Friday (June 26).

House bill 1464 requires the state’s utilities to source at least 25% of their electricity from renewables by 2020, and to raise the standard at 40% by 2030. The law also requires the state to create standards that will reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2030 and will make property owners disclose electricity costs for the last three months before selling their homes.

Senate Bill 1202 orders the establishment of charging stations in parking lots, with 1% of parking spaces having to be dedicated for electric vehicles by December 31, 2011. An additional 1% will raise the requirement for every 5,000 electric vehicles registered.

Senate Bill 464 aims to attract private investments in renewable energy.

Lingle is also being urged to sign House Bill 1271, which would require petroleum distributors to pay tax per barrel to finance alternative energy projects. As the levy is raised from 5 cents ($0.05) to $1.05, the law is expected to generate $31 million yearly that can be used on green projects and food safety programs.

An “environmental response tax” that was established in 1993 is currently in effect and applies to petroleum products sold to retail dealers and end-users. Income from the said tax is used on oil-spill prevention, county used-oil recycling programs, energy security, and environmental protection.


-  Jen Balboa

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¹ http://www.syracuse.com/technology/index.ssf?/base/national-29/124606651451690...