STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2122-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 242

S.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.C.R. No. 242, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS' DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO CREATE A HAWAII LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WITH PAYING FOR THEIR HOME ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Public Utilities Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Consumer Advocacy, to convene a working group to create a Hawaii Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to assist low-income households with paying for their home energy.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaiian Electric Company, and Climate Protectors Hawai‘i. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that many households in the State are struggling to pay for energy costs, as Hawaii's electricity rates are one of the highest in the nation. Therefore, establishing a state Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program would assist struggling households with their energy costs and ensure continued access to electrical power for all residents.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 242, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair