Councilmember Matt Weyer Issues Statement on Adoption of the Hawaii State Energy Conservation Code

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI -  On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, the Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Sustainability, and Health reported out for passage on third reading Bill 4 (2023), which updates the Building Energy Conservation Code of the City and County of Honolulu through the adoption of the Hawai’i State Energy Conservation Code, subject to local amendments.  The bill will receive its third and final reading during the Regular Full Council meeting on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, starting at 10 a.m.

Councilmember Weyer has issued the following statement on Bill 4 (2023):

Bill 4 (2023) is particularly important to the Council in order to help our State meet its net-zero energy goals by the year 2050. However, Energy Codes also have the potential to negatively impact the cost of housing. In light of our current housing crisis, where approximately 15,000 people leave the State every year for greener pastures with more affordable housing, finding the right balance can be tricky.

With this in mind, as Chair of the Committee on Housing, Sustainability, and Health, I worked hard over the course of several months to bring together stakeholders from both sides of the issue to carefully and thoughtfully navigate this delicate issue.

A lot of hard work was put into this bill to ensure that we continue to move forward with our energy goals without driving up the cost of housing for residents. I’m confident that we have crafted a bill that accomplishes this, and I thank all stakeholders involved for coming to the table with a willingness to work with each other and to share their perspectives.

Councilmember Weyer represents City Council District 2, which includes Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Wahiawā, Mokulē‘ia, Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Pūpūkea, Sunset Beach, Kahuku, Lā‘ie, Hau‘ula, Punalu‘u, Kahana, Ka‘a‘awa, Kualoa, Waiāhole, and Kahalu‘u.

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