STAND. COM. REP. NO. 175-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1811

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1811 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow for new electric vehicle charging stations having a single port to qualify for a rebate under the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebate Program (Rebate Program);

(2) Increase flexibility of the Public Utilities Commission to administer the Rebate Program;

(3) Increase the maximum percentage of Rebate Program appropriations that may be expended for administrative costs; and

(4) Allow for marketing and outreach expenses to be included within allowable administration costs of the Rebate Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, City and County of Honolulu Department of Design and Construction, Hawaiian Electric Company, Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, KauaiEV, 350Hawaii.org, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Blue Planet Foundation, Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawai‘i Energy, and Tesla.

Your Committee finds that the State has committed to eliminating fossil fuels from the electricity and ground transportation sectors and to achieving a zero-emissions clean economy in Hawaii by 2045. Additionally, meeting the State's clean energy goals and commitments necessitates the rapid transition to zero-emission vehicles, including supporting electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This measure provides more flexibility in the Rebate Program to ensure that the program is adequately and sufficiently deploying rebates to priority locations in furtherance of the State's clean energy and carbon reduction goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that rebates shall be distributed up to, rather than at, specified amounts;

(2) Expanding program eligibility for Level 2 chargers with one port for upgraded or replaced electric vehicle charging stations;

(3) Providing more flexibility for the Public Utilities Commission in its consideration of program guidelines relating to supporting accessibility of charging to as many electric vehicle drivers as feasible;

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2100, 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. 1811, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1811, 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