HI HR198

Urges the Governor and state departments to investigate direct payment opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy incentives provision for installing solar energy systems on state facilities.

Provides federal funding covering up to 30 percent of the cost for solar energy systems, including batteries, on state facilities through the direct pay provision available to tax-exempt entities like states and counties.

Requests that the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Education, and Department of Transportation each designate a point person to prepare for deployment of direct pay funding for energy systems on state facilities.

Notes that state departments consumed over 520 million kilowatt hours of electricity in fiscal year 2022, costing taxpayers $173 million, which could be reduced through solar installation.

Directs transmission of resolution copies to the Governor, principal department heads, Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office, and Director of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.