STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1132

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 1040

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1040 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to facilitate the use of renewable energy in Hawaii by requiring the Public Utilities Commission to consider the value of improving electrical generation transmission and distribution systems and infrastructure through the use of advanced grid modernization technology in Hawaii's electrical system.

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Consumer Advocacy; Public Utilities Commission; Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter; and Blue Planet Foundation provided testimony in support of this measure.  A few individuals provided testimony in opposition to this measure.  Life of the Land provided comments on this measure.

     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 S.B. No. 1040 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair