SB2331

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State's renewable energy portfolio standards, which are designed to transition the State from fossil fuels to renewable fuels for electricity generation, require refinement to ensure that they are consistent with, and contribute to, the State's zero emissions clean economy target.

The legislature further finds that some electricity generation sources that are currently defined as renewable for the purpose of the renewable portfolio standards could result in relatively high greenhouse gas emissions when considering the entire lifecycle of an energy source from production to burning. In some cases, the resulting emissions are equivalent to emissions produced by fossil fuels. The legislature also finds that using these high-emission sources for electricity generation undermines the State's clean energy goals.

For example, trees, and woody products of trees, that are harvested and burnt to generate electricity emit copious amounts of greenhouse gases. While trees that are harvested for this purpose can be replaced with new plantings, the carbon debt payback period for trees burnt to generate electricity is decades long. Such long payback periods are incompatible with the State's zero emissions clean economy target. The legislature additionally finds that the State relies on its forests and trees to absorb carbon and thereby help meet its net greenhouse gas emissions reductions goal. Burning trees for electricity only undermines this goal.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Establish a lifecycle greenhouse gas emission intensity standard that an energy source must meet to be considered a renewable energy source; and

(2) Exclude trees and woody products of trees from the definition of "renewable energy".

SECTION 2. Section 269-91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1. By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

""Lifecycle greenhouse gas emission intensity" means the total emissions expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent per unit of energy delivered, accounting for anticipated powerplant efficiency at all lifecycle stages, as determined by a lifecycle emissions assessment."

2. By amending the definition of "biofuels" to read:

""Biofuels" means liquid or gaseous fuels produced from organic sources such as biomass crops, agricultural residues and oil crops, such as palm oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, camelina oil, soybean oil, waste cooking oil, grease, and food wastes, animal residues and wastes, and sewage and landfill wastes[.]; provided that the source crop, waste, or residue was not harvested or raised on land cleared of forest after December 18, 2007."

3. By amending the definition of "cost-effective" to read:

""Cost-effective" means the ability to produce or purchase electric energy or firm capacity, or both, from renewable energy resources at or below avoided costs or as the commission otherwise determines to be just and [~~reasonable~~] reasonably consistent with the methodology set by the public utilities commission in accordance with section 269-27.2."

4. By amending the definition of "renewable energy" to read:

""Renewable energy" means energy generated or produced using any of the following sources[:]; provided that the source shall have a lifecycle greenhouse gas emission intensity of less than one hundred and fifty grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour delivered:

(1) Wind;

(2) The sun;

(3) Falling water;

(4) Biogas, including landfill and sewage-based digester gas;

(5) Geothermal;

(6) Ocean water, currents, and waves, including ocean thermal energy conversion;

(7) Biomass, including biomass crops, agricultural and animal residues and wastes, and municipal solid waste and other solid waste[;] except:

(A) Trees and woody products of trees; and

(B) Any crops or agricultural or animal residue or waste harvested or raised on land cleared of forest after December 18, 2007;

(8) Biofuels; and

(9) Hydrogen produced from other renewable energy sources."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2331
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII