HONOLULU — The Honolulu City Council’s Budget Committee has advanced a measure to give a real property tax exemption for renewable-energy improvements.

The bill introduced by Councilman Charles Djou would exempt such renewable-energy improvements as solar and wind farms from real property taxation.
Djou said after Wednesday’s vote that the measure would make it a little easier for entrepreneurs to initiate renewable-energy projects.
He says it would also help preserve Oahu’s open space by encouraging renewable-energy production on vacant land and reduce pressure for more urban development.