STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3922

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 206

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 206, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF LARGE DATA CENTERS ON HAWAII'S ELECTRIC UTILITIES, RATEPAYERS, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND CLIMATE GOALS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a working group to study the potential impacts of large data centers requiring electricity of five megawatts or more in instantaneous demand on Hawaii's electric utilities, ratepayers, natural resources, and climate goals.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Climate Protectors Hawaii and one individual.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

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

Your Committees find that the State's isolated island electric grid systems are uniquely sensitive to large new electricity loads. Without appropriate safeguards, data center development could require costly grid upgrades, impede clean energy progress, and shift financial burdens onto residential and small business ratepayers. Therefore, this measure will ensure that any future data center development aligns with the State's commitment to protecting local communities and the environment.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 206, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair