STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1803

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 193

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 193, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Extend the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045; and

(2) Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to establish interim goals.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Environmental Change Agents, Hawai‘i Energy, Blue Planet Foundation, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, and eight individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Consumer Advocacy.

Your Committees find that energy efficiency remains the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions associated with electricity generation and consumption, while providing financial benefits for customers. Under existing law, the State must meet its energy efficiency goals by the year 2030. This codified goal was established in 2009; however, your Committees find that it is appropriate to modify these goals and the date by which they must be achieved. This measure extends and further develops the energy-efficiency portfolio standards, thus progressing the State towards its decarbonization goals.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 193, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 193, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair