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Hawaii lawmakers compromised Tuesday on a bill that would set 2045 as the date for Hawaii to reach a goal of using renewable energy sources for 100 percent of the state’s electric power generation.
House Bill 623 originally proposed a renewable-energy goal of 100 percent by 2040 while the Senate voted for 100 percent by 2050. A conference committee of House and Senate members voted Tuesday to split the difference and set 2045 as the date.
The state’s major electric utility, Hawaiian Electric Co. submitted a plan in August to the Public Utilities Commission with a goal of 65 percent renewables by 2030.
The bill must now go back to both houses for the final approval. If approved, it would be sent to the governor for his signature.
The state got about 18 percent of its electric power from renewable sources in 2013.
