STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1319-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2122

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2122, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend the State's energy-portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045, update the standards, and authorize the Public Utilities Commission to adjust the 2045 standard and establish interim goals.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission; Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority; Hawaii State Energy Office; Public Utilities Commission; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauaʻi; Office of Climate Change Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu; Building Decarbonization Task Force of the Hawaiʻi Environmental Change Agents; Hawaiian Electric; Hawaiʻi Energy; Ulupono Initiative; Blue Planet Foundation; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; 350Hawaii.org; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that section 269-96, Hawaii Revised Statutes, sets a statewide energy efficiency goal for 2030 and directs the Public Utilities Commission to establish interim goals. Your Committee further finds that the energy-efficiency portfolio standards must be extended in order to ensure that the State continues its progress in clean energy and decarbonization. This measure addresses this need by extending the energy portfolio standards to 2045, updating the standards, and authorizing the Public Utilities Commission to adjust the 2045 and interim standards.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

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 S.B. No. 2122, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2122, S.D. 1, 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