STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1344-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.R. No. 101

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.R. No. 101 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO ORDER HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC TO CONTINUE TO DEPLOY AND PURSUE COMMUNITY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Public Utilities Commission to order Hawaiian Electric to continue to deploy and pursue community-based renewable energy projects.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Elemental Excelerator; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Hawaii PV Coalition; and Solar United Neighbors. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that community-based renewable energy projects help make renewable energy accessible to individuals who are unable to install their own solar energy systems. Your Committee further finds that in a status update requested by the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric recommended that Phase 2, Tranche 2 of its Community-Based Renewable Energy Project be paused, which would delay the installation of additional community-based renewable energy projects. This measure requests that the Public Utilities Commission order Hawaiian Electric to continue Phase 2, Tranche 2 of the Project and continue to issue requests for proposals for the Community-Based Renewable Energy Program.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 101 and recommends that it 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