Hawai‘i’S CLEAN ENERGY VISION
Hawai‘i is undergoing a major transformation to move from a state that has been almost completely reliant on imported fossil fuels to one that is powered by clean renewable energy. Beginning in the late 1990s and early 2000s, state leaders began setting big, first-of-their-kind goals to change the course of energy production and delivery. Hawai‘i was the first state to commit to 100% clean renewable energy for electricity, to a net-negative emissions goal, to the Paris Agreement in law and to do our part based on the science and Hawai‘i’s share of the nation’s emissions. Hawai‘i is focusing on high-impact actions and leading by example.
Clean Energy Initiative
The Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative renewed Hawai‘i’s commitment to setting bold clean energy goals that include achieving the nation’s first-ever 100 percent renewable portfolio standards (RPS) by the year 2045.
The initiative was launched in 2008, when the State of Hawai‘i and U.S. Department of Energy signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the reduction of Hawai‘i’s heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels. To turn that vision into reality, HCEI is transforming the financial, regulatory, legal, and institutional systems that govern energy planning and delivery within the state.
Decarbonization
In 2022, the State Legislature passed Act 238 which tasks the Hawai‘i State Energy Office to “analyze pathways and develop recommendations for achieving the State’s economy-wide decarbonization goals.” Additionally, the study will evaluate emission reduction pathways from all emitting sectors economy-wide.
Under Hawai’i Revised Statutes §225P-5, Hawai’i has a target “to sequester more atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases than emitted within the State as quickly as practicable, but no later than 2045”, effectively establishing a net-negative emissions target.
Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative
The Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) is a framework of statutes and regulations supported by a diverse group of stakeholders committed to Hawai‘i’s clean energy future. The goal of the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative is to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2045. HCEI has implemented many of the foundational policies and innovative solutions needed to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, maximize our diverse portfolio of natural resources, and create employment and investment opportunities throughout the islands. Our state has earned recognition as a clean energy leader and must continue to embrace innovative technologies and thoughtful decision-making.
Alternative Fuels, Repowering,and Energy Transitions
The Alternative Fuel, Repowering, and Energy Transition Study builds on more than ten years of related studies, providing preliminary engineering, greenhouse gas, and economic analyses. It is one part of a broader effort to develop an energy transition strategy to support national security, safeguard energy infrastructure, increase energy affordability, and accelerate renewable energy adoption. The study’s focus was on assessing residual and diesel fuel alternatives. The fuels that were considered include methane/liquid natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, biomethane, biodiesel, e-methane, hydrogen, e-ammonia, e-diesel, and e-methanol.
Transportation
Hawai‘i’s transformation to a net-negative carbon economy includes transportation. Transportation energy demand is driven by the quantity of transportation (passenger-miles and ton-miles) needed; the modes (e.g., plane, boat, car, truck, bus, bicycle, scooter, on foot) used to meet the transportation needs; the fuels (e.g., jet fuel, low-sulfur fuel oil, gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, hydrogen, electricity, human power) needed to propel the various modes; and the primary energy sources (e.g., petroleum, solar, cooking oil, crops, other materials) used to create the fuels.