STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1321

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 949

H.D. 2

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 Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 949, 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:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for a solar energy storage system loan program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install solar energy storage systems; and

(2) Establish and appropriate funds for a renewable energy system installation loan program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install residential photovoltaic and energy storage systems, including battery storage systems.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority; Hawaii State Energy Office; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Consumer Advocacy; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Hawaii Environmental Change Agents; Hawaiian Electric; 350Hawaii; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Ulupono Initiative; Elemental Excelerator; Sunrun, Inc.; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; Blue Planet Foundation; and thirteen individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that forty-four percent of the State's families are classified as asset limited, income constrained, employed, also known as ALICE families, and are facing financial burdens due to rising inflation and unprecedented spikes in electricity costs. Your Committees believe that additional loan capital for photovoltaic and energy storage systems is necessary to help underserved ratepayers reduce their growing financial energy burdens while helping the State achieve its goal of a one hundred percent renewable portfolio standard in energy production by 2045. This measure will support struggling families, facilitate an equitable transition to renewable energy, and enhance the resiliency and stability of electrical grids.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 949, H.D. 2, 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 Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair