STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1674

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 117

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 117 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTIES TO INCLUDE TOWNHOMES IN THE RESIDENTIAL PERMITTING PROCESS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the counties to include townhomes in the residential permitting process for the installation of solar panels.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from 350Hawaii.org, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that commercial permits are required for solar panel installations for townhomes, while these installations for single-family homes require only a residential permit. This policy prevents thousands of townhome owners from contributing to Hawaii's renewable energy goals, which jeopardizes the State's energy security and its goal of reaching one hundred percent clean energy by 2045. Allowing more residents to install solar panels would contribute to the stabilization of Hawaii's energy grid and the provision of alternate means of power in the event of an emergency.

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 H.C.R. No. 117 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair