HB342 would require every gas utility in Hawaii to file a proposed initial renewable gas tariff with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by August 31, 2025. The bill directs the PUC to approve or modify the tariff within six months after a completed application is filed, with the completeness determination due within 30 days. The tariff is intended to create a voluntary option for customers who want to purchase renewable gas, and the rate structure would be based on a customer’s net therm usage or another method the PUC adopts by rule or order.
The bill defines renewable gas as gas produced from non-petroleum feedstock, as defined in existing law, or as otherwise defined by the PUC. It also requires that any tariff be just, reasonable, and in the public interest, and it may not increase rates for other customers. Although the bill includes an effective date of July 1, 3000, the operative policy is to accelerate the creation and review of renewable gas tariffs to support decarbonization, climate resilience, and reduced dependence on imported petroleum.
Impact
HB342 would amend Hawaii’s utility ratemaking framework by creating a specific statutory mandate for renewable gas tariffs and imposing deadlines on gas utilities and the PUC. It would affect gas utilities, the PUC, and customers who may voluntarily opt into renewable gas service, while also limiting cross-subsidization by prohibiting rate increases for non-participating customers. The bill builds on existing public utility and renewable gas provisions in Hawaii Revised Statutes, especially the PUC’s authority over just and reasonable rates and tariff approval.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears generally supportive of renewable energy and decarbonization goals, with an emphasis on speed and regulatory certainty. The findings section frames the bill as a response to consumer demand, climate resilience, and the need to reduce reliance on imported petroleum. No committee transcripts or vote records were provided, so there is no documented opposition or recorded vote sentiment in the supplied materials.
Contention
The main policy tension in HB342 is between accelerating approval of a renewable gas tariff and preserving the PUC’s normal review process. The bill specifically tries to shorten review time while still requiring the tariff to be just, reasonable, and in the public interest. Another likely point of contention is cost allocation: the bill expressly says the tariff cannot increase rates for other customers, which suggests concern about shifting costs to non-participants. The absence of committee discussion or votes means no specific legislators, agencies, or stakeholders are identified as opposing or supporting these provisions in the provided record.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.