STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2773

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3010, S.D. 1, 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 clarify the roles of the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism in achieving the State's renewable energy goals.

More specifically, the measure proposes to expedite the development of renewable energy resources by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to work with utility companies and renewable energy developers on certain planning, leasing, and permitting processes; and

(2) Requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to direct the Hawaii State Energy Office and work with utility companies and renewable energy developers regarding certain planning, leasing, and permitting processes.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Hawaii Gas.

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

Your Committee finds that streamlining planning, leasing, and permitting processes to expedite the development of renewable energy resources will help promote the production of clean electricity in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3010, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair