HR192 HD1

WHEREAS, Hawaii has long relied on imported fossil fuels for most of its energy needs, exposing residents and businesses to volatile global fuel markets and contributing to some of the highest electricity costs in the nation; and

WHEREAS, transitioning to locally available renewable energy resources offers an opportunity to reduce long-term energy costs, strengthen energy independence, improve resilience, and keep more energy dollars circulating within the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's geographic isolation and reliance on imported fuels also create vulnerabilities during natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, and other emergencies that may interrupt fuel deliveries or strain centralized energy infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, an energy system based on diverse local resources, distributed generation, and modern grid technologies can improve system resilience and help communities maintain access to power during extreme events; and

WHEREAS, the State has established clear clean-energy goals, including the elimination of the State's dependence on imported fuels of all types, and a requirement to achieve one hundred percent renewable energy for electricity by 2045, making the energy transition both a policy priority and a matter of state law; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii now stands at a critical crossroads in energy policy as the State works to transition to an electricity system having significantly higher levels of variable renewable energy resources such as solar and wind energies; and

WHEREAS, achieving this transition will require careful planning, improved coordination across sectors, and consideration of emerging technologies, grid modernization strategies, and lessons learned from other jurisdictions pursuing similar energy transitions; and

WHEREAS, several entities play important roles in shaping Hawaii's energy future, including the Public Utilities Commission, the Hawaii State Energy Office, electric utilities, and other public and private stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, these entities often operate within distinct statutory mandates and institutional roles that can limit opportunities for proactive, cross-sector examination of long‑term energy pathways; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature has the authority and responsibility to establish statewide energy policy and long‑term statutory goals and is uniquely positioned to convene stakeholders, facilitate collaboration, and bring together policymakers, experts, and community voices to examine complex policy challenges and identify solutions in the public interest; and

WHEREAS, decisions regarding major energy infrastructure and fuel choices may have long-term financial implications for ratepayers and may affect the State's ability to achieve its energy independence and clean energy goals; and

WHEREAS, given the magnitude of the decisions ahead, it is in the State's interest to convene a legislative task force to examine potential energy pathways and identify strategies that best advance affordability, resilience, reliability, and rapid decarbonization; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that there is established the Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways to examine strategies to maximize cost savings while minimizing risk to ratepayers over the next three decades and achieving the State's energy goals and providing affordable, reliable, resilient, and decarbonized energy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force evaluate potential pathways for Hawaii's energy transition, including strategies for integrating high levels of renewable energy and distributed energy resources into the power grid, reducing long‑term energy costs for residents and businesses, strengthening energy independence and resilience, and examining the potential risks, costs, and benefits associated with proposed fossil fuel infrastructure investments, including liquefied natural gas; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consider lessons learned from other jurisdictions pursuing rapid energy transitions and identify policy recommendations that will help the State to maximize cost savings and minimize risk to ratepayers while achieving its statutory clean energy goals and advancing the public interest; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consist of the following members:

(1) The Chairperson of the House standing committee having primary jurisdiction over energy, or the Chairperson's designee, who shall serve as Chairperson of the task force;

(2) One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) A representative of the Hawaii State Energy Office, to be designated by the Chief Energy Officer;

(4) A representative of the Public Utilities Commission, to be designated by the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission;

(5) The Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or the Executive Director's designee; and

(6) A representative from the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the task force is requested to invite the following individuals to become members of the task force:

(1) A representative of Hawaiian Electric Company;

(2) A representative of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative;

(3) A representative of an independent renewable energy developer;

(4) A representative from an environmental advocacy group; and

(5) A representative from a community group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the task force may invite additional stakeholders, subject matter experts, representatives of community organizations, and experts from other jurisdictions to participate in the task force's discussions and provide information and technical assistance, as appropriate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force submit an initial report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027, and a final report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2028; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office; Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission; Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Director of the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii; President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaiian Electric Company; and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	192
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII