The 50th State became the first state on Jun. 26 as Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle signed a law that requires the installation of solar water heating systems in new homes starting in 2010.
     “This solar power legislation is another important step in our long-term plan for energy independence in Hawaii,” Lingle said.   
    The new law prohibits issuing building permits for single-family homes that don’t have solar water heaters. Some exceptions will be allowed, such as forested areas where there are low amounts of sunshine.
    The state of Hawaii relies on imported fossil fuels more than any other state. And, if it’s in Hawaii and it's not a coconut, pineapple or mango, it was almost certainly delivered there on a ship, making the prices of some commodities—like fossil fuels—somewhat more expensive than in other parts of the United States. Further, about 90 percent of the state’s energy sources come from foreign countries, according to state data.
    State Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kauai-Niihau, vice chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee, first introduced the measure five years ago when a barrel of oil cost about $40. Since then, the cost of oil has more than tripled. Hooser said both the environment and the economy stand to benefit from the new law.
    “I’m hoping this will start a trend nationwide,” Hooser said. He plans to meet with lawmakers in other “sunshine states” such as California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona to push similar laws.