Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 169, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Public Utilities Commission to establish a Power Quality Task Force.

Your Committee finds that "power quality" refers to the existence or non-existence of voltage sags, surges, spikes, interruptions, and harmonics on an electric line that can lead to damaged electrical equipment and extensive loss in business productivity.

This Concurrent Resolution requests the Public Utilities Commission to establish a Power Quality Task Force to investigate and study power quality in Hawaii. The Task Force is requested to determine:

(1) Who is currently measuring power quality, if anyone;

(2) Whether power quality should be increased;

(4) What are the root causes of poor power quality;

(5) Whether legislation is needed to improve power quality;

Your Committee finds that the reports requested of the Task Force in the next three years, should assist the State in determining whether further action should be taken to ensure that the quality of electrical power is adequate to satisfy the future needs of the State.

Your Committee requests that the subject matter committee Chair or Chairs hold an informational briefing after the Task Force's reports are submitted to the Legislature. Your Committee is concerned that studies and audits are often reported but follow-up discussion is lacking on the report's issues, findings, and recommendations. Your Committee finds that issues related to this Concurrent Resolution can be fully discussed and understood if subject matter Chairs hold informational briefings.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 169, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.