Bill > SB964

This bill aims to expand the Hawaii State Energy Office's capabilities by authorizing it to establish a public-private partnership to develop waste-to-energy generating facilities in counties with populations below 800,000. The legislation recognizes waste-to-energy technology as a promising strategy for reducing solid waste and generating sustainable energy, noting that nationally, existing facilities process up to 94,000 tons of solid waste daily and can power approximately 2.3 million homes. The bill specifically amends Section 196-71 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to add a fifth responsibility to the Hawaii State Energy Office, which allows (but does not mandate) the office to create partnerships to develop waste-to-energy facilities in smaller counties. The amendment changes some existing language from permissive to mandatory verbs (replacing "[del]" with "[ins]shall"), and adds the new provision about waste-to-energy facility development. By enabling these partnerships, the bill seeks to help Hawaii meet its goals of reducing solid waste and developing sustainable energy sources, while providing a framework for potential waste-to-energy infrastructure development in less populous counties.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=964&year=2025