STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1154-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2570

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2570, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE FUELING REBATES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Rename the Electric Vehicle Charging System Rebate Program as the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Rebate Program (Rebate Program) and expand the Rebate Program to apply to hydrogen refueling stations in addition to electric vehicle charging systems;

(2) Allow the installation of a new zero-emission vehicle fueling system to a hydrogen refueling station or upgrade of an existing zero-emission vehicle fueling system to a hydrogen refueling station to qualify for the Rebate Program; and

(3) Increase the maximum total rebate amount that may be issued per year under the Rebate Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Servco Pacific Inc., Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Gas, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Kauai Women's Caucus, KauaiEV, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Maui Nui EV Association, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Aloha Animal Advocates, Pele Lani Farm LLC, 350Hawaii.org, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission, Hawai‘i Energy, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that zero-emission vehicles play an integral role in Hawaii's clean energy future. With the continued growth of electric vehicle adoption by consumers, expanding the types of zero-emission vehicle fueling systems that qualify for the rebate program will provide additional clean energy infrastructure and clean mobility solutions for Hawaii residents and visitors.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Establishing a new Zero-Emission Vehicle Fueling System Rebate Program, rather than adding the installation and upgrade of hydrogen refueling stations to the Electric Vehicle Charging System Rebate Program;

(2) Establishing a hydrogen fueling system subaccount within the Public Utilities Commission Special Fund;

(3) Reducing the allocation that the Energy Systems Development Special Fund receives from the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax from 8 cents to 5 cents and allocating the difference to the hydrogen fueling system subaccount; and

(4) 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 S.B. No. 2570, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2570, S.D. 2, 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