STAND. COM. REP. NO. 5

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 111

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 111 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to eliminate fossil fuels in the State for electricity generation and storage by prohibiting:

(1) Any new extension, improvements, overhauling, or refurbishing of any fossil fuel electricity generation or fossil-fuel powered electricity use for grid-tied battery energy storage; and

(2) The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation or grid-tied battery energy storage.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Skyline Hawaii, Life of the Land, Our Revolution Hawaii, 350Hawaii, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Climate Protectors Coalition, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, and fourteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii State Energy Office, and Tesla, Inc.

Your Committee finds that the State has committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels and toward a clean energy economy powered by one hundred percent renewable energy. This measure facilitates this renewable energy transformation by reducing the State's dependency on imported and price-volatile fossil fuels, fostering innovation and clean energy job growth, helping protect Hawaii's environment, and positioning the State as a global leader in renewable energy and climate solutions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have prohibited the Public Utilities Commission from approving or extending any new extension, improvements, overhauling, or refurbishing of any fossil fuel electricity generation or fossil fuel powered electricity use for grid-tied battery energy storage after an unspecified date;

(2) Specifying that after December 31, 2045, electricity generation facilities shall cease the use of all fossil fuels for the generation or storage of electricity;

(3) Deleting references relating to battery energy storage;

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of 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 H.B. No. 111, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 111, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair