STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1018

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 988

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 988, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to reduce greenhouses gas emissions and raise public awareness of renewable energy.

     Specifically, this measure establishes a photovoltaic rebate program to all grid-connected residential, community-center, and small business utility customers within electric service areas.

     Written comments in support of this measure were submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of the Director, State of Hawaii; Chair of the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Budget and Finance, State of Hawaii; Energy Services Department, Hawaiian Electric Company; Proactive Chiropractic, LLC; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter; ProVision Technologies, Inc.; Pacific Biodiesel; Hawaii PV Coalition; and eight individuals.

     Your Committee finds that to ensure the preservation and protection of our environment and natural resources, it is necessary to foster a widespread use of sustainable energy resources and energy efficient technology and products.  One type of renewable energy that should be used more widely is photovoltaic energy.  However, the initial cost of installing photovoltaic energy systems is high.

     Your Committee further finds that providing a rebate program for qualifying installations will help minimize the initial costs and encourage citizens and businesses to invest in photovoltaic energy systems.

     Your Committee amended this measure by deleting the appropriation amount of $10,000,000 leaving the appropriation amount blank for further discussion.

     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 S.B. No. 988, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 988, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair