STAND. COM. REP. NO.  938-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 2279

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2279, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address and develop proactive solutions to the foreseeable problem of increases in photovoltaic waste by establishing a task force to study the feasibility of creating a recycling program for, and to develop methods to address the expected increase in, photovoltaic waste.

Hawaii Solar Energy Association testified in support of this measure.  The Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Health commented on this measure.

     You Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Removing the provision regarding reimbursement for expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the members of the task force;

     (2)  Specifying that the task force shall determine options for removal of photovoltaic waste materials to out-of-state recycling facilities by reviewing underutilized shipping space on outbound freight carriers; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2279, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2279, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair