STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2070-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 48

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. 48, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY, TO CONSIDER EFFORTS TO MITIGATE HIGH ENERGY BURDENS FOR LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME CUSTOMERS AND INVESTIGATE HOW TO INTEGRATE CONSIDERATIONS OF ENERGY EQUITY AND JUSTICE ACROSS ITS WORK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Public Utilities Commission, in consultation with the Division of Consumer Advocacy, to consider efforts to mitigate high energy burdens for low- and moderate-income customers and investigate how to integrate considerations of energy equity and justice across its work.

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

Your Committee finds that despite Hawaii having the highest electricity rates in the nation, the electric utilities in the State do not offer utility specific low- to moderate-income discount rates and have limited, if any, bill assistance options. Therefore, it is critical to assist low- and limited-income customers by reducing their residential electricity burden and ensuring continued access to electrical power.

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. 48, 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