STAND. COM. REP. NO. 282

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1261

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1261 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require each department of the State to prepare a report assessing the feasibility of installing distributed energy resource systems at each of its facilities;

(2) Require departments to implement and install the distributed energy resource systems for each of its facilities, as detailed in the reports no later than five years from the issue date of the reports; and

(3) Give priority for the required energy efficiency measures to first responder facilities.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, 350Hawaii, Our Revolution Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and fourteen individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation.

Your Committees find that the installation of on-site distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar and battery storage, is not only one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with electricity generation and consumption, but also provides affordable and resilient power for the State's energy system users. Your Committees also find that the growing climate crisis threatens the health and well-being of the State's residents through the impacts of extreme weather events. Your Committees believe that the State must ensure that preparations within the State will be adequate to deal with the emergencies caused by climate change, especially in situations involving disruptions to the electric grid, port activity, and essential services provided by state agencies--in particular, first responders who must have the ability to function fully to assist with response and recovery efforts. This measure will build the State's resilience to the effects of global warming by requiring each department to prepare a report assessing the feasibility of installing distributed energy resource systems at each of its facilities; requiring departments to implement and install the distributed energy resource systems for each of its facilities, as detailed in the reports no later than five years from the issue date of the reports; and giving priority for the required energy efficiency measures to first responder facilities.

Your Committees note that this measure does not contain an appropriation and that the Department of Accounting and General Services plans to submit the cost figures for consideration by your Committee on Ways and Means.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1261 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations,

________________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair