STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2664

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 192

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 192, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Public Utilities Commission

 

G.M. No. 192

CARLITO P. CALIBOSO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nomination from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and its Division of Consumer Advocacy; a Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission; the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaiian Electric Company; Kauai Island Utility Cooperative; Hawaii Energy Policy Forum; Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Pacific DirectConnect Inc; Honeywell Utility Services; Blue Planet Foundation; Rush Moore LLP; Yamamoto & Settle; Hawaii Lending Specialists, LLC; and over twenty private citizens.  A personal statement and resume were received from the nominee.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that the nominee's professional experience, commitment to public service, and proven leadership on the Public Utilities Commission qualify him for reappointment to the Public Utilities Commission.  Your Committee notes that the nominee has served as the Chair of the Public Utilities Commission since 2003, and has been reappointed twice to the position.  Since 2003, the Commission has addressed major energy policy issues in dockets addressing renewable portfolio standards, third party administration of energy efficiency programs, distributed generation, competitive bidding, net energy metering, feed-in-tariffs, and decoupling, among many other issues, in an effort to implement major policies established by the State.  In addition, in 2009, the Legislature also tasked the Commission with implementing an energy efficiency portfolio standards law, which will require the Commission to open a new proceeding to thoroughly investigate and make determinations to implement State's energy efficiency policy goals and objectives.

 

     The nominee testified that implementing the State's energy policy initiatives while controlling costs for electric utility customers, and maintaining electrical service reliability and the financial health of the electric utilities is the greatest overall challenge faced by the Commission.  And despite the current economic climate, the nominee stressed the need to recognize that investments during the short term will increase energy efficiency and renewable energy generation for the long-term benefit of the people of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee has heard testimony in strong support of the nominee from a wide range of entities, including those that often appear in opposition to each other in matters before the Public Utilities Commission.  Your Committee appreciates the leadership and dynamic change the nominee has brought to the Commission during his tenure as Chair.  Your Committee further finds that this nominee has been reappointed to the Public Utilities Commission based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair