HB 953 Summary

• Amends Chapter 125C of Hawaii Revised Statutes to establish comprehensive energy assurance and fuel security framework, expanding scope from petroleum products alone to all energy resources.

• Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office and Chief Energy Officer to conduct systematic analyses of state energy resources, including risk assessments, ecosystem evaluations, and baseline data collection for energy resiliency and security.

• Grants the Chief Energy Officer authority to collect confidential information from major energy producers, distributors, marketers, transporters, storers, and users; establishes strict confidentiality protections and limits use to specified energy planning and emergency response purposes.

• Authorizes the governor or Chief Energy Officer to implement emergency measures during fuel shortages or declared states of emergency, including retail distribution controls, fuel allocations, regulatory waivers for substitute fuels, and emergency response programs.

• Revises state energy assurance planning requirements, replacing biennial emergency preparedness plans with updated plans as needed; shifts responsibility from Department of Business to Hawaii State Energy Office; updates set-aside system definitions to include diverse fuel types and maritime services.