The legislative session that just wrapped up passed a number of bills affecting Hawaii's energy future.

The legislature had a lot on its plate this past session considering the state of the economy. But that may have had something to do with looking at measures that could cut energy costs in the future.

"One is a measure to require that forty percent of the electricity that comes into your home comes from clean, local sources. That bill also requires a reduction, thirty percent reduction in demand for energy by the year 2030" says Jeff Mikulina, Blue Planet Foundation.

The legislature also passed a bill adding a dollar tax to every barrel of imported oil that could be used to enhance local food production.

"But also to invest in our clean energy infra-structure, smart grid infra-structure, perhaps building wind farms or solar, things like that."

Not all the proposals were successful - Blue Planet and others had pushed for a ban on future construction of fossil fuel fired power plants.

"We're a little bit disappointed that the power plant ban didn't pass. The concept behind this was to draw the line in the sand and say no new future coal or oil power plants in Hawaii. That's just not what our future looks like. And if we invest in new power, it should be clean power."

Some of the measures that could become law would impact transportation, including having more private electric cars on the road.

"Electric vehicles, a bill did pass to provide some incentives for that in requiring some charge spots at public parking. That will be something that comes in over time.">

And finally, one measure that passed would allow anyone to use a clothesline.

"That's right, the right to dry act. And that did pass, it's on the governor's desk. Basically we just want to make sure everyone in the state has the ability to dry their clothes using the trade winds, using the hot sun."