Energy Policy
By statute, HSEO is tasked with providing analysis and planning to inform and develop policies to achieve energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy resilience, and clean transportation, working with the legislature, public utilities commission, state agencies, and other relevant stakeholders (HRS §196-71). These key goals include Hawaiʻi’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) mandate established by HRS §269-92 and the statewide net negative emissions goal as established by HRS §225P-5.
The state’s energy transition strategy must ensure that all future investments in Hawaiʻi’s integrated
electricity system result in a portfolio of fuels, power generation assets, and infrastructure that
provide affordable electricity, energy security, resilience, and reliability for the next 20 years and
beyond.
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §§196-71 and 196-72.
HRS §196-71 establishes the HSEO within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, designating it as the primary state entity to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation, thereby fostering a resilient clean energy economy. The statute outlines key responsibilities, including:
- Policy Development: Collaborating with the legislature, Public Utilities Commission, state agencies, and stakeholders to formulate policies that advance energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy resiliency, and clean transportation goals.
- Public Facility Initiatives: Leading efforts to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions across public facilities to reduce costs and meet clean energy objectives.
- Project Facilitation: Assisting private sector projects that align with state energy goals in deploying renewable energy and clean transportation initiatives.
- Private Sector Engagement: Partnering with private entities to achieve renewable energy and clean transportation targets through the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative.
HRS §196-72 defines the leadership structure of the HSEO, specifying that it is led by a Chief Energy Officer (CEO) appointed by the governor with the senate’s consent. The CEO’s duties, subject to the governor’s approval, encompass:
- Policy Formulation and Implementation: Developing and executing policies and strategies in collaboration with public and private stakeholders to cost-effectively and equitably achieve the state’s energy goals.
- Performance Monitoring: Identifying, tracking, and reporting on key performance measures related to the state’s energy and decarbonization objectives.
- Technical Assistance: Providing support to state and county agencies in assessing and implementing projects focused on energy conservation, efficiency, renewable energy, clean transportation, and resiliency.
- Coordination of Energy Programs: Aligning the state’s energy programs with federal initiatives, other states, local governments, and international entities sharing common energy interests.
- Market Development: Collaborating with stakeholders to identify market gaps and innovation opportunities, facilitating public-private partnerships to advance energy resources and data analytics supporting the state’s energy and decarbonization goals.
Through the mandates of these statutes, the HSEO is empowered to lead Hawai‘i’s transition to a sustainable and resilient clean energy future.
