STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1778-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.C.R. No. 58

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 58, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO DIRECT ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO EXAMINE SPECIFIC RENEWABLE ENERGY SCENARIOS IN THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING PROCESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the use of renewable energy in Hawaii by, among other things, requesting that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC):

     (1)  Direct that the integrated resource plans of electric utilities examine a strategy that replaces existing fossil fuel-based electricity generation plants with renewable energy resources;

     (2)  Direct that the integrated resource plans of investor-owned electric utilities:

          (A)  Examine a strategy that develops excess firm or intermittent electricity to be transmitted between islands, including plans to develop undersea electricity transmission cable to support transmission of electricity between the islands; and

          (B)  Consider other renewable energy resources;

     (3)  Examine:

          (A)  Its avoided cost calculation methodology;

          (B)  Ways to maximize the use of distributed generation, including an examination of the appropriateness of current circuit penetration threshold levels for the interconnection of distributed generation resources;

          (C)  The increased use of energy efficiency programs and technology to meet the goals of the energy-efficiency portfolio standards under section 269-96, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

          (D)  Ways to minimize the curtailment of renewable energy resources; and

          (E)  Ways to modernize the state's electrical grids; and

     (4)  Include findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation in its 2013 and 2014 annual reports. 

The PUC, Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light Company supported this measure.

     Your Committee finds that wave energy should be further considered and explored as a form of renewable energy for Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 58, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair