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About HSEO

The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation to help achieve a resilient clean energy economy. The Chief Energy Officer is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Hawaiʻi State Senate. The HSEO is administratively attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Hawai‘i State Energy Office: Leading the Way to a Cleaner Energy Future

With the state’s goal to reach 100 percent renewable energy generation by 2045, the Hawai‘i State Energy Office (HSEO) is leading the state’s charge toward a cleaner energy future. HSEO is committed to developing and deploying high-impact solutions that will maximize Hawai‘i’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, HSEO has positioned Hawai‘i as a leader in clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities, and accelerate economic growth.

HSEO’s Primary Service Areas

HSEO is committed to maximizing the deployment of cost-effective investments in clean energy production and management for the purpose of growing the economy while promoting Hawai‘i’s energy security. To do this, HSEO prioritizes five service areas:

• Strategy and leadership
• Program design and implementation
• Analysis, reporting, and data collection and sharing
• Regulatory support
• Education, outreach, and community engagement

HSEO Executive Office

Act 97 Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2015 charges the Hawai’i State Energy Office with leading the state’s energy transition, as the first state in the nation to set a 100 percent renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for the electricity sector by 2045. Chief Energy Officer (CEO) Mark B. Glick was appointed by the Honorable Josh Green, M.D., and confirmed by the Senate on April 3, 2023, having served previously as Energy Administrator leading the development of Hawai‘i’s Clean Energy Initiative, the precursor to today’s carbon-free pathway. The Executive Office works with the Green Administration to establish the Hawai‘i State Energy Office’s energy strategy, aligning objectives for renewable generation, grid modernization, energy storage, clean transportation, energy efficiency, governance, and equity.  

Operations

The Operations Branch (Ops) is responsible for actively seeking, tracking, and ensuring compliance with federal funding opportunities for grants that align with HSEO goals and priorities. These funds are earmarked for implementing new programs crucial to Hawai‘i’s advancement in driving forward the state’s sustainable energy initiatives and priorities.

Jobs and Outreach

The Jobs and Outreach Branch (JOBs) is committed to enhancing Hawai‘i’s workforce and community engagement in the clean energy and skilled trades sectors. Through initiatives like Good Jobs Hawai‘i and the Clean Energy Sector Partnership, JOBs collaborates with various stakeholders to identify in-demand entry-level occupations, develop career pathways from entry-level jobs, provide desired skills training, offer on-the-job training, and facilitate entry-level employment. Innovative outreach programs, such as Clean Energy Wayfinders, place community members in key roles across the islands, to foster community-level involvement in energy planning, and ensure sustainable economic growth and an equitable transition to clean energy across Hawai‘i.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) branch spearheads efforts to boost energy efficiency and promote renewable energy sources across Hawai‘i. By advocating for updated energy codes, assisting in energy-efficient upgrades for state-owned buildings, and implementing incentives for both residential and commercial sectors, EERE aims to reduce energy consumption and costs while advancing the state’s transition from fossil fuels. Additionally, the branch supports the development of renewable energy projects and provides technical assistance to communities and developers, driving Hawai‘i towards energy self-sufficiency and a sustainable future.

Resilience, Clean Transportation, and Analytics

The Resilience, Clean Transportation, and Analytics (RCA) branch operates to ensure Hawai‘i’s energy security, fostering the adoption of clean transportation and providing data-driven insights that inform energy policy and decision-making. RCA focuses on assuring reliable fuel and energy delivery, leveraging grants to assess and fortify energy supply chains, and investing in grid modernization. In the transportation sector, the branch supports the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure. Finally, RCA serves as a data hub, collecting and analyzing energy and transportation data to assess critical infrastructure risks and inform policy decisions and planning for Hawai‘i’s clean energy transition.  

A minimum lead time of two weeks is preferred to ensure adequate.