Bill > HB977

This bill expands the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund's capabilities to provide financial assistance to a broader range of "underserved ratepayers," which includes state and local governments, low and moderate-income homeowners, renters, nonprofits, small businesses, and multi-family rental projects. The bill aims to address financing gaps for clean energy investments, particularly rooftop solar plus storage systems, by allowing the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to offer low-cost loans at below-market rates to these previously underserved groups. Recognizing that existing federal solar funding is limited to only low-income households and specific census tracts, the legislation seeks to provide additional capital to help Hawaii meet its 100% renewable energy portfolio standard goal by 2045, reduce carbon emissions, decrease reliance on imported fossil fuels, and stabilize the electrical grid. The bill includes an appropriation of funds (with the specific amount to be determined) to be deposited into and used from the revolving loan fund during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with the money to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for providing loans and financial assistance to eligible clean energy project borrowers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=977&year=2026