[§269-142]  Reliability standards; interconnection requirements; adoption and development; force and effect.  (a)  The commission may adopt, by rule or order, reliability standards and interconnection requirements.  Reliability standards and interconnection requirements adopted by the commission shall apply to any electric utility and any user, owner, or operator of the Hawaii electric system.  The commission shall not contract for the performance of the functions under this subsection to any other entity as provided under section 269-147.

     (b)  The commission may develop reliability standards and interconnection requirements as it determines necessary or upon recommendation from any entity, including an entity contracted by the commission to serve as the Hawaii electricity reliability administrator provided for under this part, for the continuing reliable design and operation of the Hawaii electric system.  Any reliability standard or interconnection requirement developed by the commission shall be adopted by the commission in accordance with subsection (a) in order to be effective.  The commission shall not contract for the performance of the functions under this subsection to any other entity as provided under section 269-147.

     (c)  The commission shall have jurisdiction over matters concerning interconnection requirements and interconnections located in the State between electric utilities, any user, owner, or operator of the Hawaii electric system, or any other person, business, or entity connecting to the Hawaii electric system or otherwise applying to connect generation or equipment providing ancillary services to, or operate generation and equipment providing ancillary services in parallel with the Hawaii electric system under processes established in accordance with section 269-145.  Nothing in this subsection is intended to give the commission general supervision authority over any user, owner, or operator of the Hawaii electric system or any other person, business, or entity that is not a public utility as defined in section 269-1. [L 2012, c 166, pt of §2]