STAND. COM. REP. NO.  599-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2552

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2552 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to encourage the development of renewable energy in Hawaii by requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to develop a model ordinance for renewable energy projects to help the counties plan for renewable energy project development within their jurisdictions.

     Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA) supported this bill. Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance and Covanta Energy Group supported the intent of this measure with amendments.  DBEDT submitted comments. 

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying the findings and purpose section to more accurately reflect the substance matter and scope of this measure;

     (2)  Under the list of required duties for DBEDT in developing the model ordinance:

          (A)  Clarifying that DBEDT shall identify the types and sizes of renewable energy that are suitable for residential use or small scale application in the urban district or other areas under the exclusive jurisdiction of a county;

          (B)  Deleting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR); DLNR Forestry and Wildlife Division; Office of Environmental Quality Control; Board of Land and Natural Resources; Land Use Commission; and the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, from the list of entities that DBEDT is required to collaborate with, and adding HSEA to this list;

          and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     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 H.B. No. 2552, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2552, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair