Hawaii lawmakers are killing a proposal that would have allowed residents to pay off upfront costs of solar panels and other energy-saving appliances through their power bills.

Energy Chairman Denny Coffman said yesterday he had too many concerns about how the legislation would work to pass it this year.

Coffman, a Democrat representing Kailua-Kona, said existing tax credits and private sector incentives already significantly reduce the cost of installing energy-efficient appliances.

He also said the state can’t afford the financial risk of providing loan guarantees to banks financing the loans.

Coffman said the issues needs to be studied further before it could have a chance of becoming law.

___

Online: HB1520: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/