STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3247

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 1884
                                        H.D. 2




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B.
No. 1884, H.D. 2, entitled:

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to require the Public Utilities
Commission to study the feasibility of implementing a net energy
metering program in Hawaii.

     The bill further provides that as part of this study, the
Public Utilities Commission is to gather data on the Department
of Education's use of net metering in its renewable energy
demonstration project, including historical data, metering
methods, a rate structure, and interconnection and safety issues,
and a cost-benefit analysis.  The Department of Education is to
assist the Commission in its study by sharing its information on
net metering.  The Commission is required to submit interim and
final reports to the Legislature before the 2001 and 2002 regular
sessions.

     Your Committee finds that new and improved technologies have
made it possible for small-scale renewable energy systems to be
put into use safely and reliably by customer-generators, such as
homeowners and small businesses.  Your Committee finds that net
metering will help to further the use of renewable energy systems
in Hawaii, thereby enhancing economic growth and offsetting

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3247
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Hawaii's reliance on imported fossil fuels, as well as
encouraging private investment in renewable energy resources.
Your Committee finds that this bill will help to advance the
State's knowledge and understanding of net metering systems.

     Finally, your Committee finds that the blank effective date
on this measure does not render the bill defective.  The bill wil
simply take effect upon approval, or on the date that the
Governor allows it to take effect without his signature.

     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 H.B. No.
1884, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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