Bill > SB1071

This bill aims to expand the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund to provide financial assistance to a broader range of underserved ratepayers, including state and local governments, low- and moderate-income homeowners, renters, nonprofits, small businesses, and multi-family rental projects. The legislation recognizes the importance of rooftop solar plus storage systems in helping Hawaii meet its 100% renewable energy goal by 2045 and addressing the current financing limitations. Specifically, the bill adds a new definition of "underserved ratepayers" to existing law and modifies the loan fund's usage to explicitly include providing low-cost loans to these groups. The bill also appropriates an unspecified amount of funding from general state revenues into the revolving loan fund for fiscal year 2025-2026, with the money to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority. This comes in response to the current situation where over 1,200 applications are in process and existing federal funds are restricted to low-income households and specific census tracts, leaving many potential clean energy investors without access to financing.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1071&year=2025