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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 303 Draft 01 2008-2010OFFICE, INFORMATION ONLY Meeting: Food and Energy Sustainability Committee Action: Withdrawn by introducer (Emily Naeoli) via Comm. 704.1 dated 11/10/2010 Note: Postponed to the call of the Chair - 2/17/10 Re: Res 303-10; Comm. 704 (2008-2010 term) COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. 303 g® A RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ENACT A CLEAN ENERGY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII. WHEREAS, Hawaii signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) that makes the Aloha State the country's most aggressive in pursuing renewable energy; and WHEREAS, in January 2008, Governor Linda Lingle announced the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, an unprecedented and innovative partnership with the DoE that aims to derive at least 70 percent of Hawai`i's power from clean energy by the year 2030; and WHEREAS, Governor Lingle signed into law SB644 (ACT 204) to increase the use of renewable energy to protect our environment, reduce pollution, and reduce our dependence on imported oil; and WHEREAS, the Federal budget for FY 2011-12 calls for more than $200 billion in clean energy infrastructure as a tool for economic recovery; and WHEREAS, according to the US Bureau of Statistic, as of February 2, 2010, the unemployment rate is 10 percent and is expected to remain high; and WHEREAS, according to the White House, President Obama's budget plans include 100 billion dollars for job creation, including 33 billion dollars in tax cuts for small businesses and infrastructure and clean energy investments; and WHEREAS, this new economic activity stimulates the local economy and creates new jobs as the solar energy sector grows; and WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii does not currently have a "Clean Energy Assessment District" (CEAD) policy/act; and WHEREAS, establishing CEAD's is the first step in a process that will assist the County to achieve our State's committed goal of 70 percent energy renewal by the year 2030; and WHEREAS, if the State approves the creation of a CEAD property, owners can choose to opt in to a special tax assessment district, and WHEREAS, a CEAD is a tool to develop more local renewable energy efficiency projects, offering property owners a new way to install renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades with little or no upfront cost; and WHEREAS, a CEAD is a voluntary mechanism allowing individuals to make energy improvements to opt into a special assessment "district"; and WHEREAS, Energy Financing Districts are also known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) districts that enable local government to raise money through the issuance of bonds to fund clean energy projects; and WHEREAS, Hawai'i's HRS 46-80 authorizes cities and counties to create special districts to finance projects that serve the public purpose and benefit the city or county; and WHEREAS, the cost of the CEAD program is borne by participating property owners and not as an added cost to County services; repayments are calculated to recover the costs of the program over a term less than the useful life (approx. 20 years) of the installed renewable energy project weighted by cost; and WHEREAS, the financing is repaid over a set number of years through a special tax or assessment on the property tax bill of those who choose to opt in; and WHEREAS, CEADs identify areas for special assessment enabling the affected district to adopt programs, promote opportunity, and finance affordable clean energy for the residents/businesses through participation in (PACE) and other funding resources; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, that it hereby requests the Hawai'i State Legislature to enact a Clean Energy Assessment District policy. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Hawaii be designated as a Clean Energy Assessment District. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hawaii County Council develop CLAD and PACE policy and procedure once enacted by the State of Hawaii. Page 2 of 3 BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the county clerk shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Honorable Governor Linda Lingle, the Honorable Mayor William Kenoi, Director of Finance, Director of Public Works, the Honorable Representative Faye Hanohano, and the Honorable Senator Russell Kokubun. Dated at , Hawai`i, this day of 12010. INTRODUCED BY: COUNCIL Mk BER, COUNTY OF HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the rote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the Counh, of Hawaii on ATTEST: COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON R PRESIDING OFFICER ROLL CALL VOTE AYES NOES ABS Ea ENRIQUES FORD GREEN WELL HOFFMANN IKEDA NAEOLE ONISHI YAGONG YOSHIMOTO Reference: C-704 RESOLUTION NO. 303 10 Page 3 of 3