Description: Challenge to Hawai‘i's implementation of a law mandating inclusion of solar water heaters in new single-family homes.
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Hawai‘i Solar Energy Association v. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Case Documents:
Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary 02/05/2019 Order Order issued requiring adherence to mandate. Hawai‘i Court Ordered More Rigorous Implementation of Solar Water Heater Mandate. n a ruling from the bench on February 5, 2019, the senior environmental court judge for the First Circuit Court in Hawai‘i ordered the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to adhere to a state law mandating that new single-family homes include solar water heaters and to allow variances for gas water heaters only on a case-by-case base. The plaintiffs said that “[b]y issuing thousands of variances, the agency has reinforced Hawaiʻi’s reliance on fossil fuels—to our collective peril—instead of empowering residents to move to clean, renewable energy sources that will reduce their energy costs.” The plaintiffs also said the intent of the law was that the variance option be “rarely, if ever, exercised.” The court is expected to issue a written order.