STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1284-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3194

S.D. 2

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. 3194, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize independent generators of renewable energy to wheel the renewable energy they produce to users of renewable energy under policies and procedures established by the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Public Utilities Commission; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative; Blue Planet Foundation; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Clean Power Alliance; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaii State Energy Office; Life of the Land; Ulupono Initiative; and Hawaiian Electric.

Your Committee finds that independent renewable energy generators are not authorized under existing state law to engage in retail wheeling, limiting a potential source of renewable energy in the State. This measure authorizes independent generators of renewable energy to engage in retail wheeling pursuant to policies and procedures established by the Public Utilities Commission, if and when the Commission determines that retail wheeling is in the public interest.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the Public Utilities Commission will use an investigatory docket that examines certain issues related to retail wheeling in its determination of whether retail wheeling is in the public interest;

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

(3) 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. 3194, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3194, S.D. 2, 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