STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3784

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1997

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1997, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE INTERISLAND TRANSPORT OF HYDROGEN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish a discounted rate by tariff for certain water carriers engaging in the interisland transport of renewable hydrogen.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii, Sustainable Energy Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from 350 Hawaii and Kauai Climate Action Coalition.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii State Energy Office, and Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that making the delivery of renewable fuels more cost-efficient through the use of discounted rates for the interisland transport of renewable hydrogen will help the State to more efficiently achieve its sustainable energy goals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1997, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair