STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1181-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   S.B. No. 2785

      S.D. 2

      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 S.B. No. 2785, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INTERISLAND ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION CABLE SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the regulatory framework for the development, financing, and use of a high-voltage undersea electric transmission cable system that will permit the transmission of power generated on one or more islands to an electric utility system located on another island of the State.

The Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Carpenters' Union, Pacific Resource Partnership, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Windward Ahupua‘a Alliance, NextEra Energy Transmission LLC, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, First Wind, Hawaii Interisland Cable LLC, ILWU Local 142, Blue Planet Foundation, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The City and County of Honolulu supported the intent of this measure.

     The Kuli‘ou‘ou/Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board #2, Friends of Lana‘i, and numerous concerned individuals opposed this measure.  The Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light Company offered comments.

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2785, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair