STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3278

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2020

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 2, 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 expand the definition of "renewable energy producer" that is used to determine the Board of Land and Natural Resources' disposition of public lands to renewable energy producers.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association, Hawaiʻi Gas, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, and three individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from 350Hawaii.org and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from Hawaiian Electric.

Your Committees find that greenhouse gas emissions are not just the result of electricity generation. The transportation and aviation sectors, which also utilize fossil fuels, greatly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in the State. Your Committees further find that with the advancement of various technologies, there are now more renewable fuel options available to help facilitate the replacement of fossil fuels and mitigate carbon emissions, including those produced by transportation and aviation. This measure broadens the definition of "renewable energy producer" to allow more public lands to be leased for the generation of more types of renewable energy to help the State reach its sustainability goals.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that nothing in the definition of "renewable energy producer" shall be construed to allow wheeling over public utility lines or infrastructure that is not authorized by law or rule or order of the Public Utilities Commission;

(2) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair