Hawaii Bill Proposes Strict Guardrails on Liquefied Natural Gas

Lawmakers consider regulating LNG rather than banning it outright amid debate over the fuel's role in the state's clean energy transition.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Hawaii Energy and Environmental Protection Committee has moved to add strict guidelines to the potential introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the state, rather than banning the fuel entirely under proposed legislation. The debate over LNG's role in Hawaii's energy future continues, with supporters arguing it can aid the state's clean energy transition and opponents concerned it will hinder renewable energy development and climate goals.

Why it matters

Hawaii has set a goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045, and the debate over LNG centers on whether it can be a bridge fuel to that goal or if it will lock the state into a new fossil fuel dependency. The committee's decision to regulate LNG rather than ban it outright reflects the complex tradeoffs involved in the state's energy policy.

The details

The proposed legislation, House Bill 1268, originally sought to ban LNG in Hawaii entirely. However, the committee decided to add strict guardrails instead, including requirements for proposals to include full infrastructure costs, exclude specific LNG volume commitments, and prevent price hikes for neighbor islands. The amended bill would also require the utility commission to purchase cheaper and cleaner energy options if available and limit LNG use to only what's necessary to accommodate maximum renewable energy on the grid.

  • The Hawaii Energy and Environmental Protection Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1268 on Tuesday, February 16, 2026.
  • In May 2025, the state of Hawaii filed a lawsuit against fossil fuel companies, claiming deceptive marketing practices that contributed to climate harms.
  • In January 2025, the state released a report on LNG, which Glick said has led to "new scenarios that actually make a lot more sense" for LNG in Hawaii.

The players

Rep. Nicole E. Lowen

Chair of the Hawaii Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, representing the Kailua-Kona-Honokohau-Puuanahulu district.

Rep. Amy Perruso

Vice Chair of the Hawaii Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, representing the Wahiawa-Whitmore Village-Mokuleia district.

Henry Curtis

Executive director of the environmental nonprofit Life of the Land.

Harley Boyles

Attorney with Earthjustice.

Mark Glick

Chief Energy Officer at the Hawaii State Energy Office.

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What they’re saying

“We find it ironic that the state would be suing the fossil fuel industry while bringing in a new fossil fuel industry.”

— Henry Curtis, Executive Director, Life of the Land (Star-Advertiser)

“This bill is the legislature's opportunity to veer us off the dangerous path that the governor has started us on and put us on the right track to investing our time, effort and money in renewables, which will save our climate and ratepayers money.”

— Harley Boyles, Attorney, Earthjustice (Star-Advertiser)

“It's really interesting how passionate they are to basically backtrack on the thing they said they were supposed to do.”

— Evan Weber, With nonprofit Our Hawaii (Star-Advertiser)

What’s next

The Hawaii Energy and Environmental Protection Committee will continue to work on the amended version of House Bill 1268, which adds strict guardrails on the potential introduction of liquefied natural gas in the state.

The takeaway

Hawaii's debate over liquefied natural gas highlights the complex tradeoffs involved in the state's transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045. While supporters argue LNG can aid this transition, opponents are concerned it will hinder renewable development and climate goals. The committee's decision to regulate LNG rather than ban it outright reflects the need to carefully balance energy options while upholding the state's clean energy mandate.