STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2697

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3024

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 3024 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Chief Energy Officer to adopt rules to enforce minimum efficiency standards for certain products; and

(2) Regulate the appliance efficiency standards for air purifiers and portable electric spas.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawai‘i Energy Program, and Blue Planet Foundation. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Plumbing Manufacturers International and Consumer Technology Association.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the nation. The high cost of living in Hawaii deters residents who were born and raised in the State from staying and causes them to move to less expensive places. This adds to the importance of adopting polices that promote and encourage energy efficiency, which can provide relief for families and businesses faced with high utility bills. In 2019, the Legislature passed Act 141, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, which established minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain products sold, leased, or rented in the State. These standards are estimated to result in more than $500,000,000 in cumulative utility bill savings over the next fifteen years. This measure will expand the list of products requiring minimum efficiency standards, thereby helping residents save more on utility bills annually.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing language that would have authorized the Chief Energy Officer to adopt or amend appliance efficiency standards for any products, with certain limitations;

(2) Clarifying that no new computer or computer monitor, faucet, high color rendering index fluorescent lamp, showerhead, or spray sprinkler body manufactured on or after January 1, 2021, may be sold or offered for sale, lease, or rent in the State unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3024, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3024, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair