HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	212
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH ENERGY efficiency and conservation programs and appropriate RATE design incentives FOR electricity USED OR CONSUMED FOR AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES that produce food for local consumption.

     WHEREAS, expanding the agricultural sector in Hawaii is essential to gaining self-sufficiency and food sustainability in the State; and

     WHEREAS, energy is a major cost component for those seeking to enter or sustain a business in the agricultural industry and rising energy costs have adversely impacted business viability and feasibility; and

     WHEREAS, properly designed programs and incentives for energy efficiency and conservation in agricultural activities such as irrigation, water pumping, refrigeration, and cooling may optimize the efficiency of the electric grid and benefit all electricity customers; and

     WHEREAS, efficiency and conservation programs and appropriate rate design incentives can help to support the long-term viability and growth of agriculture in the State; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate concurring, that the Public Utilities Commission is urged to work with the Public Benefits Fee Administrator and Hawaii's electric utilities to consider energy efficiency and conservation programs, as well as appropriate rate design incentives for electricity used or consumed for agricultural activities that produce food for local consumption, including eligible agricultural activities of the Department of Agriculture; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, Program Director of the Public Benefits Fee Administrator, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, and the President of each electric utility company operating in Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Agricultural Activities; PUC; Rate Design Incentives