STAND. COM. REP. NO. 480-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2098

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2098 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize independent generators of renewable energy to wheel the renewable energy they produce to users of renewable energy under policies and procedures established by the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Blue Planet Foundation; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Hawaii Clean Power Alliance; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Tawhiri Power LLC; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaiian Electric and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Public Utilities Commission; Ulupono Initiative; and Life of the Land.

Your Committee finds that independent renewable energy generators are not authorized under existing state law to engage in retail wheeling, limiting a potential source of renewable energy in the State. This measure addresses this need by authorizing independent generators of renewable energy to engage in retail wheeling pursuant to policies and procedures established by the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Moving the reporting requirement for the Public Utilities Commission to session law;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee notes that the term "independent renewable energy generator" needs to be defined.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2098, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2098, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair