GOVERNOR’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE: Governor Ige signs measure to expedite cool schools projects, water bill package Newsroom, Press Releases Posted on Jun 30, 2016 in Latest News

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige signed into law HB 2569 (Act 176) which aims to expedite the goals of the Department of Education to cool Hawai‘i’s schools, reduce energy costs, meet Hawai‘i’s clean energy goals and provide public school students with comfortable classrooms where they can learn and thrive.

In May, Gov. Ige signed SB 3126, which allowed an emergency appropriation of $100 million to fund equipment and installation costs for air conditioning, heat abatement measures and related energy efficiency measures for public schools.

“Cooling the schools for the sake of our children and teachers is and will remain one of my highest priorities. This bill will expedite the process,” said Gov. Ige.

HB 2569 also requires the DOE to establish a net-zero goal with respect to energy use, by January 1, 2035

Gov. Ige also signed into law a package of water bills that represents a significant step forward in providing fresh water security in Hawai‘i for future generations.

The bills include:

SB 2645 (Act 169) Relating to Water Audits

HB 1749 (Act 170) Relating to Water Management

HB 2029 (Act 171) Relating to Water Infrastructure Loans

HB 2040 (Act 172) Relating to Water Security

HB 2077 (Act 173) Relating to Hydroelectric Power

SB 2217 (Act 174) Relating to Agriculture

SB 2788 (Act 175) Relating to the Moloka‘i Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board

Gov. Ige also signed SB 2476 (Act 177) which aims to enhance early intervention language services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf and blind.

Also signed into law, HB 1668 (Act 178) which authorizes any state court to permit the use of a trained and credentialed facility dog in a judicial proceeding to facilitate the testimony of a vulnerable witness.

Photos will be posted on the governor’s flickr account at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/govhawaii/

###

Media Contacts:

Jodi Leong

Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary

Office of the Governor

Office: 808-586-0043

Mobile: 808-798-3929

[email protected]

Cindy McMillan

Communications Director

Office of the Governor

Office: 808-586-0012

Mobile: 808-265-7974

[email protected]