LEad By Example – State agencies
Our state energy policy is rooted in one principle: a commitment to maximize the deployment of cost-effective investments in clean energy production and management for the purpose of promoting Hawai‘i’s energy security.
STATE OF Hawai‘i ENERGY POLICY DIRECTIVES
Implementing energy efficiency in state agencies enables the State to lead by example in energy efficiency initiatives and energy-efficient design for new construction, thereby maximizing the savings of taxpayer dollars that would otherwise be spent on utility bills. Under Act 239, SLH 2022, passed by the legislature, “efforts taken by universities, public schools, executive departments, and other government entities have already begun to save taxpayers money by reducing the government’s electricity costs.” Pursuant to HRS §196-31, state facilities are required to implement cost-effective energy measures by targeted dates. The Hawai‘i State Energy Office has the responsibility to encourage and assist state agencies, collect all utility bills and energy usage data, and make this information available in a publicly accessible format.
ENERGY STAR BENCHMARKING/
BUILDING CERTIFICATION
Benchmarking is a process that involves calculating the building’s annual energy consumption per square foot, allowing buildings to be compared and identifying areas for improving energy efficiency. If a building receives a score of 75 or higher, it indicates that the building is in the top 25% of similar buildings nationally and can be certified as an ENERGY STAR® building.
STATE Facilities STRATEGY
The HSEO developed a multi-part energy strategy for improved energy efficiency, building operational performance, and utility bill savings potential for small- to medium-sized State-owned facilities (between 10,000 – 200,000 sq ft.). The State Facility Energy Strategy was based on preliminary desktop assessments on a representative sample of the applicable State-owned facilities. The project is consistent with Act 239 Session Laws of Hawaiʻi, 2022. The categories of energy solutions explored through the State Facility Energy Strategy project included:
- Building efficiency: Energy
- Building efficiency: Water
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Demand management and demand response
- Vehicle electrification and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)
- Financial feasibility
STATE AGENCY ELECTRICITY BILLS
Pursuant to HRS §196-32, HSEO is required to collect all utility bills and energy usage data for state-owned facilities monthly and shall make this information available in a publicly accessible format. [L 2022, c 239, pt of §2].
To fulfill this requirement, the state agency billing data is below.
HSEO continues to collaborate with local utilities to provide clear and easily accessible information to the public.