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HR 192

ESTABLISHING THE LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON HAWAII'S FUTURE ENERGY PATHWAYS TO EXAMINE STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE COST SAVINGS WHILE MINIMIZING RISK TO RATEPAYERS OVER THE NEXT THREE DECADES AND ACHIEVING THE STATE'S ENERGY GOALS AND PRODUCING AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, RESILIENT, AND DECARBONIZED ENERGY.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nicole Lowen and 1 co-sponsor

Hawaii creates energy task force to design 30-year strategy balancing decarbonization, affordability, reliability, and ratepayer protection through cost-effective renewable transition.

Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1919-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending adoption.
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Bill Summary · HR 192

Legislative bill overview

HR 192 establishes a legislative task force to develop comprehensive energy strategies for Hawaii over the next 30 years, balancing cost savings, ratepayer protection, and the state's decarbonization goals. The task force will examine pathways to achieve affordable, reliable, resilient, and decarbonized energy while minimizing financial risk to consumers.

Why is this important

Hawaii has among the highest electricity costs in the nation and relies heavily on imported fossil fuels, making energy policy critical to economic competitiveness and household budgets. The state has ambitious renewable energy targets (100% clean energy by 2045), and this task force would provide a structured analysis of how to reach those goals without creating rate shock or grid instability for ratepayers.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation disputes: Determining how transition costs (renewable infrastructure, grid modernization, storage) are distributed between different customer classes and business sectors
  • Timeline vs. affordability trade-off: Accelerating decarbonization may increase short-term utility rates, while slower transitions could miss climate targets and face federal compliance issues
  • Stakeholder representation: Unclear whether the task force adequately includes representatives from low-income communities, agricultural users, and energy-intensive industries who face disproportionate impacts from rate changes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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