1. (a) The public utilities commission, in consultation with zero-emission vehicle stakeholders and the Hawaii state energy office, shall administer a zero-emission vehicle fueling system rebate program that incentivizes the installation or upgrade of a zero-emission vehicle fueling system, as provided in this section, and may contract with a third-party administrator pursuant to section 269-73 to operate and manage the rebate program.
2. (b) An applicant may be eligible for a rebate under the rebate program if the applicant installs a hydrogen fueling system; provided that it stores or dispenses only renewable hydrogen.

3. (c) Rebates shall be distributed for each eligible installation of a zero-emission vehicle fueling system as follows:

   1. (1) $200,000 for the installation of a hydrogen fueling system; provided that it stores or dispenses only renewable hydrogen; and
   2. (2) $200,000 for the upgrade of fuel capacity for a hydrogen fueling system; provided that it stores or dispenses only renewable hydrogen.

4. (d) The public utilities commission shall:

   1. (1) Prepare any forms that may be necessary for an applicant to claim a rebate pursuant to this section; and
   2. (2) Require each applicant to furnish reasonable information to ascertain the validity of the claim, including but not limited to documentation necessary to demonstrate that the installation or upgrade for which the rebate is claimed is eligible.
5. (e) This section shall apply to hydrogen fueling systems that are installed or upgraded after December 31, 2022.
6. (f) Applicants shall submit applications to the public utilities commission within twelve months of the date that the newly installed or upgraded hydrogen fueling system is placed into service to claim a rebate from the zero-emission vehicle fueling system rebate program. Failure to apply to the commission within twelve months of the date that the newly installed or upgraded hydrogen fueling system is placed into service shall constitute a waiver of the right to claim the rebate.
7. (g) Nothing in this section shall alter taxes due on the original purchase or upgrade price of a hydrogen fueling system prior to the application of the rebate. Any rebate received pursuant to the zero-emission vehicle fueling system rebate program shall not be considered income for the purposes of state or county taxes.
8. (h) In administering the zero-emission vehicle fueling system rebate program, the public utilities commission shall give priority to hydrogen fueling systems that are publicly available, serve multiple tenants, employees, or customers, or serve electric vehicle fleets.

9. (i) For the purposes of this section:

   "Applicant" means an individual; non-profit or for-profit corporation; local, state, or federal government agency; homeowner association; or any other eligible entity as defined under rules adopted for the zero-emission vehicle fueling system rebate program.

   "Renewable hydrogen" means hydrogen produced entirely from renewable sources that have a life cycle emissions of not more than fifty grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour.

   "Zero-emission vehicle fueling system" means a hydrogen fueling system that stores and dispenses only renewable hydrogen.

[L 2022, c 241, §1]