Bill > SB1338

This bill expands Hawaii's existing Renewable Hydrogen Program to include long duration clean energy storage, addressing challenges posed by climate change and energy supply disruptions. The legislation renames the program to the "Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program" and broadens its scope to include engineering and economic evaluations of potential storage locations, with a particular focus on pumped storage hydroelectric projects. The bill updates the program's activities to conduct strategic partnerships, research, and development of renewable hydrogen and energy storage technologies, and creates a new Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Investment Capital Special Fund to support these efforts. Recognizing the U.S. Department of Energy's goal of reducing long duration storage costs by 90% by 2031, the bill aims to mitigate energy supply risks by supporting local clean energy storage solutions that can help Hawaii maintain grid reliability during extreme weather events or potential disruptions to energy imports. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $3.5 million for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the program's expanded activities, with a specific emphasis on evaluating storage projects that maximize ecological, social, and economic benefits while minimizing negative impacts on cultural heritage and agricultural lands.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1338&year=2025