Legislature sets goal of 100% renewables by 2045

A bill that would set a goal for Hawaii to produce 100 percent of the state’s electric power from renewable energy sources by 2045 cleared the Legislature on Tuesday and is headed to the governor.

The House voted 50-1 to pass House Bill 623. The Senate voted 24-1 in favor of the bill. 

The bill sets an interim goal of 30 percent renewable energy dependence by 2020. In line with the state’s current renewable-energy plan, the next benchmark calls for 40 percent renewables by 2030 and 70 percent by 2040.

Members of the energy community joined Blue Planet Foundation at the State Capitol as the clean energy organization hosted an event in support of the goals. Hawaiian Electric Co., The Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism and Ulupono Initiative were some of the groups that attended the event in support of the bill. 

Hawaii got 18 percent of its electric power from renewable energy in 2013. Electricity accounts for about 28 percent of petroleum use in Hawaii, with most imported oil being used for transportation, according to DBEDT.