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GOVERNOR JOSH GREEN, M.D. JOINS NATIONAL BUILDING STANDARDS COALITION TO IMPROVE BUILDINGS AND LOWER ENERGY COSTS

April 7, 2025

HONOLULU, HI — Governor Josh Green, M.D., today announced that Hawaiʻi has joined forces with state and local governments across the country in the National Building Performance Standard (BPS) Coalition, a collaboration led by the nonprofit Institute for Market Transformation. Hawaiʻi’s commitment, supported by Hawaiʻi House Representative Nicole Lowen, augments an $18 million commitment from the federal government in September 2024 that will improve building standards for large commercial buildings that are responsible for 78% of the state’s commercial building emissions.

Upgrading and retrofitting buildings to increase efficiency also increases affordability and can dramatically reduce harmful air pollution. At the same time, energy retrofits and upgrades can be leveraged to improve a building’s health and resilience for its occupants, while generating jobs and increasing local economic investment. Through the coalition, the state of Hawaiʻi commits to initiating state building retrofits that prioritize energy efficiency and increase community and local stakeholder participation—with the ultimate goal of advancing legislation or regulation by April 2026.

The successful adoption and implementation of a BPS is expected to drive investments in the building sector and bolster jobs in the design, construction and trades industries, helping Hawaiʻi to meet its goal of 6,000 GWh in energy savings by 2045.

Leading by example, the state of Hawaiʻi has initiated a number of projects to retrofit and prioritize energy efficiency, including the Pearl City Public Library Renovation and Expansion by Dean Sakamoto Architects (DSA). As a comprehensive renovation of the existing Pearl City Regional Public Library (b. 1969), the project will expand the library grounds to better meet the evolving needs of the community. While improving the library building, DSA has designed a new campus that features a landscaped parking lot shaded by PV canopies and a unique 200-foot-long peristyle structure to form a monumental, covered walkway that connects the parking lot, new buildings, and courtyard with the main library entrance. The complex is designed to meet state of Hawai‘i sustainability law (LEED Silver or equivalent) and generate at least 80% of its operating energy from a new integrated PV system. Construction is expected to start in 2025.

Energy efficiency benchmarking projects initiated by the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office include high-level building energy audits and a multi-part energy strategy for utility bill cost savings for small and mediumsized state agencies. Developed in partnership with Hawaiʻi-based contractors, the strategy takes current technologies, incentives, tariff and grid options, energy costs, and financing approaches into account.

Participation in the National BPS Coalition will extend, update and strengthen existing policies for energy efficiency, such as Hawaiʻi’s Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS). “Net zero”- ready building energy codes can reduce embodied carbon in buildings and reduce “code fatigue” among developers. Building Performance Standards can guide the use of public funds that support energy efficiency retrofits for existing buildings.

“Joining the National BPS Coalition demonstrates Hawaiʻi’s commitment to clean energy, lowering energy costs and creating quality jobs,” said Governor Josh Green. “In partnership with the counties, building performance standards will keep us on track to achieve net zero emissions and realize our 2045 Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard.”

“The National BPS Coalition directly addresses the need for lower energy costs, locally driven climate action and clean-energy workers hired from the local community. This effort provides local government with technical expertise and real-world case studies and connects residents with policymakers to make sure their needs are met,” said Alex Dews, CEO of the Institute for Market Transformation.

Together, the coalition’s members account for 25% of the nation’s large building space. If all members of the National BPS Coalition implement building performance policies, IMT estimates they will result in:

● Better buildings for over 90 million people

● $132 billion cumulatively invested in buildings through 2040

● 676 million metric tons of CO2e cumulatively eliminated through 2040

Video message from Governor Josh Green, M.D.

For more information about the coalition, visit www.nationalBPSCoalition.org

HAWAIʻI TO RECEIVE $18M TO REDUCE ENERGY USE AND CARBON EMISSIONS FROM LARGE BUILDINGS

September 9, 2024

Update: April 7, 2025 — Pending release of federal funding.

HONOLULU, HI — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that Hawaiʻi is one of 19 state and local governments that will receive more than $240 million to adopt and implement the latest energy-efficient or innovative building codes. These improvements will help renters and commercial building operators save money on their utility bills. In Hawaiʻi, the funding will support the development and adoption of a Building Performance Standard (BPS) to improve the energy performance of the state’s largest commercial buildings (50,000 square feet and above) which currently account for approximately 80% of the state’s commercial electricity usage and about 78% of total commercial building emissions.

The expected outcomes of the Hawaiʻi BPS policy are an overall reduction in energy use and emissions from commercial buildings and lower operational energy costs for building owners and renters, with a commensurate increase in demand for good jobs in the skilled trades industry.

While tailored to increase energy efficiency in the commercial building sector, large high-rise multifamily buildings (100,000 square feet and above) will be eligible to apply in a second phase of the program.

A significant portion of the funding will be used to implement state and county capacity building and multi-year investments in skilled trades workforce development and education. Qualifying building types include hotels and resorts, food services, mercantile (strip malls), offices, education (schools), healthcare (outpatient) and warehouse and storage facilities. The implementation of the BPS is expected to create the demand for this clean energy workforce. In line with the Biden Administration’s Justice40 initiative, 40% of the grant funds will be allocated for a technical assistance program in low-and-moderate income communities and for the implementation of new trades apprenticeship and education programs.

“As Hawaiʻi continues to make strides in meeting its 100% renewable energy and decarbonization goals, it is critical that we continue to reduce our energy demand by being as energy efficient as possible. This policy will be key to our ability to meet our 2030 and 2045 goals,” said Hawaiʻi Chief Energy Officer Mark. B. Glick.

“Making our buildings more energy efficient will lower energy bills while also helping us fight the climate crisis,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “This new funding will help strengthen our workforce and enable people across Hawai‘i to reap the benefits of our transition to a cleaner future.”

The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office developed the proposal in partnership with the City of County of Honolulu’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, Kauaʻi County’s Office of Economic Development, Maui County’s Office of Economic Development, Hawaiʻi County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Architecture and the Sea Grant College Program, as well as private sector consultants from both Hawaiʻi and other mainland states.

For a full list of projects, please click here. Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.

2023/2024 HAWAI‘I GREEN BUSINESS AWARDS PROGRAM HONORS HAWAI‘I BUSINESSES AND EVENTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES 

June 28, 2024

HONOLULU, HI — The Hawai‘i Green Business Program (HGBP) recognized its largest-ever cohort of Hawai‘i businesses and events today for their energy efficiency and sustainable business practices.  

Governor Josh Green, M.D., praised awardees for their demonstrated commitment to conserving energy and water, reducing waste, and protecting Hawai‘i’s environment, saying: “Hawaiʻi will not forfeit its commitment to a more resilient, clean economy. We must change how we do business. And we must model for others what this change looks like. Devoting our energy (literally) to regeneration and renewal is what nature is inviting us to do.”

The 40 awardees representing five islands were recognized during the annual HGBP awards ceremony in the Governor’s Ceremonial Room in the State Capitol. The ceremony was hosted by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. 

Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick said: “Our constitutional kuleana to steward Hawai’i’s natural environment sets us apart as a leader in the energy transition. While energy efficiency may not be the most glamorous path forward, the results are clear – conservation saves people money and lowers carbon across the state.”

DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka added: “Today’s event is a key example of the public and private sectors coming together to move forward in our mission of creating a sustainable Hawai‘i together. The businesses, venues and events who support this mission are vital to our local economy and the importance cannot be understated.”

The honorees of this year’s Hawai‘i Green Business Program Awards are:

Green Hotels, Resorts, Venue and Office Awardees:

• The Kahala Hotel & Resort
• Hokulani Waikiki, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club
• Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach
• Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club
• Prince Waikiki
• The Cliffs at Princeville
• Four Seasons Resort Maui
• Maui Bay Villas, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club
• Kings’ Land, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
• Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
• Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi
• Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort
• Hawai‘i Convention Center
• Waialae Country Club
• Honeywell/Smart Energy

Green Event Awardees:

• 2023 Hawai‘i Library Association/HASL Conference
• 2024 Sony Open
• Earth Day 2024 Hawai‘i Pacific University
• Make a Splash Festival
• Sentry 2023 Golf Tournament
• Sunshower Weddings & Events

Entry Level Program Awardees:

• Central Pacific Bank Earth Day
• Banán
• Pō‘ai by Pono Potions
• Drip Studio
• Aloha ‘Āina Juice Cafe
• Collab Cafe
• Fresh Bite
• Kalalea Juice Hale
• Kōloa Pizza Kitchen
• Orly Patisserie
• Niu Life Kitchen (Wailuku)
• South Maui Fish Co. (Kihei)
• Wailuku Coffee Co. (Wailuku)
• Abundant Life Natural Foods
• Hilo Coffee Mill
• Holo Holo Charters
• Journey to Good Health Cafe
• Koana Coffee

For further information please visit Hawaii Green Business Program.

Images of the ceremony and recipients can be found at 6.28.24 Green Business Award Ceremony | Flickr.

GOVERNOR JOSH GREEN, M.D., CHIEF ENERGY OFFICER, MARK GLICK, UPDATE U.S. STATES’ ENERGY OFFICIALS ON HAWAIʻI’S ENERGY STRATEGY

April 17, 2024

HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., joined Mark Glick, chief energy officer of the Hawai‘i State Energy Office (HSEO), at the Imin International Center today at a conference of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), updating western regional officials on Hawaiʻi’s energy priorities in the aftermath of Maui’s devastating wildfires.

“As the pioneering state for a 100% renewable portfolio standard, we are committed to eliminating our dependency on imported fossil fuels by 2045,” said the Governor.

Governor Green outlined the state’s near-term energy strategy addressing three C’s: Cost, Carbon and Capital, to lower costs, lower carbon and open access to capital to secure the viability of the state’s largest utility, as Hawaiʻi progresses toward its legislated mandate of net zero carbon by 2045.

“We are dealing with a new normal in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires,” said Glick, “but the challenges are not insurmountable. 

“Working with energy stakeholders throughout state and national partners like NASEO, we will maintain or accelerate Hawaiʻi’s transition to renewables, as we prioritize upgrades and replacements to thermal power generators that will continue to be predominantly relied upon over the next decade and a half to provide dispatchable power.”

A quantitative analysis undertaken by HSEO in Pathways to Decarbonization underscores the need to maintain development timelines for renewable energy projects statewide as the primary way to lower the carbon intensity of each island’s grid. In all scenarios, progressively reducing emissions from fossil fuel generators is the primary driver of emissions reductions.

Hawaiʻi’s transition to a lower cost, lower carbon economy by 2045 is aided by historic federal investments in climate–resilient infrastructure: $72.8 million in clean energy investments in 2024 with an additional $366 million in funding applications in progress, including funding for two critical customer hubs in Maui and $70 million in home electrification and appliance rebate programs for low-to-moderate income families.

HSEO will release the findings of a comprehensive fuels analysis in May.

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HAWAI‘I STATE ENERGY OFFICE AND KAUA‘I ISLAND UTILITY COOPERATIVE RECEIVE FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

October 18, 2023

Projects will boost reliability and support utility’s goal of reaching 100% renewable energy with in 10 years

LIHUE, Hawai‘i – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced two technology demonstration projects proposed by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office (HSEO) in partnership with Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) will receive more than $17.9 million in funding through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program. 

Both projects leverage existing power generation equipment with new technology to expand dispatchable renewable energy and support reliable island grid operation among other benefits. Together these solutions will enable KIUC to achieve its goal of 100% renewable energy within the next 10 years. 

“Kaua‘i is proving that transitioning to locally produced renewable energy alleviates the energy burden for families and businesses by reducing extreme price volatility,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “We are grateful to the Biden Administration for supporting these projects, which we believe will showcase how these technologies can achieve similar benefits on other islands.”  

“HSEO is excited to be working with KIUC to implement these innovative solutions to bring solar grid forming and synchronous condenser conversion technologies to Hawai‘i,” said Hawai‘i Chief Energy Officer Mark B. Glick. “These projects will provide significant community benefits by adding value to existing renewable resources, providing opportunities for additional renewables, reducing the frequency and impact of power disruptions, and further decarbonizing the grid by reducing fossil generation.” 

“At 60% renewable generation, KIUC’s transition has not only resulted in significant greenhouse gas reductions, it has also saved our members millions of dollars over the past few years through stabilized electricity rates that are no longer vulnerable to spikes in oil pricing,” said KIUC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, David Bissell. 

The projects are scheduled to begin in early 2024 with an estimated completion date in mid-2025.  

About the projects: 

The Utility Solar Grid Forming Technology (USGFT) and Synchronous Condenser Conversion Technology (SCCT) demonstration projects will be funded in part through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Grid Innovation Program of the Grid Deployment Office, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.  

Utility Solar Grid Forming Technology  

The GRIP program will provide half of the total cost-shared project estimated at $32.5 million, with KIUC contributing the other half of the total project cost. 

The USFGT project involves an innovative technology application that demonstrates a technological solution for expanded renewables dispatch and reliable island grid operation. The project adds battery storage and advanced grid forming inverters to two existing solar power plants. This will create a hybrid power supply with enhanced dispatchability, greater resource availability, and will provide important ancillary services including frequency regulation, reactive power and voltage control, and operating reserves. The grid regulation service will provide significant regional and community benefit by furthering the capability of the system to accommodate 100% dispatch of renewable generation sources and provide a more reliable and resilient island grid. 

Click here to read the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office fact sheet on the project. 

Synchronous Condenser Conversion Technology  

The GRIP program will provide half of the cost-shared project of $3.35 million, with KIUC contributing of the remaining half of the total project cost.  

This innovative project adds grid-forming capability to an existing generator at the Port Allen power station to accommodate stable operation of high penetration distributed variable renewable generation on the Kaua‘i electric grid. The project will provide significant regional and community benefits by reducing the likelihood and consequence of disruptive events to the grid, and provide a reference case for duplication of the conversion technology by others. This novel use of grid-forming technology in a grid of this size will demonstrate a replicable solution for local, regional, and interregional grid enhancement and decarbonization. 

Click here to read the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office fact sheet on the project.   

The Kaua‘i projects and a previously announced award to Hawaiian Electric are among the recipients of the largest-ever investment in America’s energy grid announced today.

Click here to read the U.S. Department of Energy announcement of more than $3.5 billion in awards across 44 states.    

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DIESEL REPLACEMENT REBATE PROGRAM HELPS BRING FIVE NEW ELECTRIC-BATTERY BUSES TO HAWAI‘I

July 25, 2023

Buses include the manufacturer’s first tour/charter EV motorcoaches in the country and adds to the EV school bus fleet on O‘ahu.

HONOLULU —  On July 20th, 2023 the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, the Hawai‘i Department of Health and Roberts Hawai‘i, Inc. debuted five new zero-emission electric-battery buses that will provide clean transportation for tourists and keiki on O‘ahu.

The buses were purchased with assistance from the Diesel Replacement Rebate (DRR) program. Funded by the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, the DRR provides rebates of up to 45 percent of the total purchase amount to replace medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment with new battery electric or hydrogen equivalents. The rebate also covers up to 45% of an EV charger per electric vehicle.

“We are absolutely committed to pursuing climate change strategies that are equitable, culturally responsive and resilient,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “Renewable energy and sustainable transportation are going to be a huge part of our future, so we need to build on progress we have already made, with more events like today. I want to thank all the partners gathered here for their leadership and hard work toward our clean energy goals,” Governor Green said.

“Hawai‘i’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a rate greater than it produces no later than 2045 requires a significant change to how we get around,” said Hawai‘i State Chief Energy Officer Mark B. Glick. “Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions by replacing older diesel vehicles with zero-emission alternatives helps to provide progress toward these goals.”

The DRR program is one of many activities the state is taking to achieve its renewable energy and decarbonization goals. Administered by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH), and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the program has allocated approximately $3.2 million in rebates to help offset the purchase of eight vehicles – seven buses and one forklift. The five buses recently dedicated were purchased during the first year of the DRR program in 2022 and arrived in recent weeks. The other vehicles are expected to be purchased through the second year of the rebate program now underway.

“The Department of Health is excited to continue our partnership with the EPA and HSEO in support of the Diesel Replacement Rebate program, modernizing Hawai‘i’s vehicles by replacing older diesel vehicles with battery-electric equivalents, supporting Hawai‘i’s climate change goals, and reducing harmful diesel engine emissions to protect public health,” said DOH Clean Air Branch Program Manager Marianne Rossio.

The rebate program provides state businesses and entities with an important tool to reduce barriers to adopting zero-emissions alternatives that in turn benefit their customers and communities.

“Roberts Hawaiʻi appreciates the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s support through rebate assistance. While we are striving to adapt by providing zero-emission transportation options, this transformation involves new technology and it requires major upgrades to properties and, as such, the cost of electric buses, associated infrastructure, and workforce training is high.  A shared public-private cost model is necessary, and we must work together to meet the state’s 2045 zero-emission target and to protect Hawaiʻi’s environment for future generations, said Roy Pfund, President and CEO of Robert’s Hawai‘i.”

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