STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2285

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3010

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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 3010 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to direct the Hawaii State Energy Office, and work with utility companies and other renewable energy developers, on all applicable planning, leasing, and permitting processes, to expedite the development of renewable energy resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiʻi Gas; Tigershark, LLC; and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that more streamlined processes for planning, leasing, and permitting in the renewable energy sector would promote the production of clean energy. Your Committee further finds that collaboration between the Hawaii State Energy Office; the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; utility companies; and renewable energy developers is beneficial to expediting the development of renewable energy resources and progressing towards the State's renewable energy goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3010, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3010, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

________________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair