STAND. COM. REP. NO.  271-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2862

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2862 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WIND ENERGY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance the economic and environmental benefits of increased energy self-sufficiency by establishing an efficient permitting process for the development of a wind energy project that uses undersea cables to transmit electricity between Hawaii's islands.

     Castle and Cooke Hawaii and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Health, UPC Hawaii Wind Partners, Life of the Land, and a concerned individual testified in opposition to this bill.  The Public Utilities Commission submitted comments.

     Your Committees have amended this bill by:

(1)  Clarifying that the process established by this measure is a coordination of efforts to establish renewable energy resources in Hawaii rather than a consolidation of efforts;

(2)  Specifying that this process is not limited to Lanai but shall be applicable statewide; and

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2862, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2862, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ KEN ITO, Chair

____________________________ HERMINA MORITA, Chair