STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1250-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2629

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2629, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that the use of coal in Hawaii for electricity production is eliminated by:

(1) Prohibiting the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) from approving, after June 30, 2020, a new, modified, or renewed power purchase agreement for electricity generated from coal; and

(2) Prohibiting the Department of Health from issuing or renewing, after December 31, 2022, covered source air permits for coal-burning electricity generation facilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Young Progressives Demanding Action, Climate Protectors Coalition, Blue Planet Foundation, Sierra Club of Hawaii, 350Hawaii.org, Americans for Democratic Action, Elemental Excelerator, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the League of Women Voters. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Public Utilities Commission; and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2629, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair