Hawaii Governor David Ige recently signed a suite of bills that advance the state’s priorities to fight climate change and transition to a clean energy economy. House Bill 1800 sets an interim target for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. The law also requires the Hawaii state energy office to conduct a study to determine Hawaii’s pathway to decarbonization and identify challenges, opportunities, and actions that will be needed to achieve those goals.
Another measure seeks to spur clean energy in the transportation sector by establishing new incentives to expand the use of hydrogen vehicles, especially in the medium- and heavy-duty sector.
Governor Ige also signed legislation to curb energy costs and consumption in state buildings. HB1801 sets deadlines for existing state facilities to implement a range of cost-effective energy efficiency measures and will require the design of all new state buildings to maximize energy and water efficiency and use building materials that reduce the carbon footprint of the project.
