Bill > SB2331

This bill establishes a new standard for what qualifies as a renewable energy source by requiring that an energy source must meet a "lifecycle greenhouse gas emission intensity" standard, which measures total emissions per unit of energy delivered across all stages of its existence, to be considered renewable. Crucially, it explicitly excludes trees and woody products derived from trees from being classified as renewable energy, recognizing that burning them for electricity can result in significant greenhouse gas emissions that undermine the state's clean energy goals and its ability to absorb carbon. The bill also amends existing definitions to clarify that certain biofuels are only considered renewable if the source crop or waste was not harvested from land cleared of forest after December 18, 2007, and it adjusts the definition of "cost-effective" to be "reasonably consistent" with the methodology set by the public utilities commission.

Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2331&year=2026