THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2504

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO STATE PROGRAMS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Act 66, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, is amended by amending part II to read as follows:

"PART II

     SECTION 2.  [The legislature finds that the United States Department of Energy Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program is providing $7,000,000,000 to establish up to ten regional clean energy hubs across America.  As part of a larger $8,000,000,000 hydrogen hub program funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program will be a central driver in helping communities across the country benefit from clean energy investments, good-paying jobs, and improved energy security.

     The legislature further finds that the United States Department of Energy selected Hawaii as one of thirty-three public-private consortiums to compete for the federal funding.  Proposed as the Hawaii Pacific hydrogen hub, the department of business, economic development, and tourism is leading the consortium to leverage $500,000,000 in private investment for $500,000,000 in matching funds from the United States Department of Energy that will drive the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen, including innovative uses in the industrial sector.  The State's strategic military position in the Indo-Pacific and its partnerships with the United States Department of Defense make its proposal unique amongst its competition.  The United States Department of Defense is seeking to replace petroleum-based fuels with hydrogen vehicles and platforms so the United States Department of Defense may become a major customer for the consortium.  If fully built and implemented, the Hawaii Pacific hydrogen hub will become a major industry and job center for the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this part is to:

     (1)  Require the department of business, economic development, and tourism to work with the University of Hawaii on workforce development activities that support the development of the Hawaii Pacific hydrogen hub and other related aspects of the State's hydrogen energy industry; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the Hawaii Pacific hydrogen hub.] Repealed.

     SECTION 3.  [The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall work with the University of Hawaii on workforce development activities that support the development of the Hawaii Pacific hydrogen hub and other related aspects of the State's hydrogen energy industry.] Repealed.

     SECTION 4.  [There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,500,000 or so much thereof as necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the sum of $10,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to develop the Hawaii Pacific hydrogen hub.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this part.] Repealed."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

 

Report Title:

DBEDT; UH; Hydrogen Hub; Repeal

 

Description:

Repeals Part II of Act 66, SLH 2023, which requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to work with the University of Hawaii on workforce development activities that support the development of the Hawaii Pacific Hydrogen Hub and related aspects of the State's hydrogen energy industry.  Repeals the appropriation to develop the Hawaii Pacific Hydrogen Hub.  (SD2)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.