STAND. COM. REP. NO. 348

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 930

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 930 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the timely interconnection and transmission lines for utility-scale renewable energy projects.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and the Democratic Caucus Environmental Committee. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaiian Electric. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii State Energy Office, and Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that accelerating the development of renewable energy in order to reduce greenhouse gases is a high priority and the Legislature has enacted numerous measures to achieve this objective. Your Committee further finds that there have been significant delays for Hawaiian Electric to complete its interconnection process so that utility-scale renewable energy projects know how they may interconnect with Hawaiian Electric's grid allowing them to begin construction.

Your Committee further finds that facilitating the timing of interconnection will help bring utility-scale renewable projects online sooner and further the State's prospects of meeting its ambitious renewable portfolio standards, clean energy, and carbon reduction goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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. 930, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 930, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means.

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

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair