STAND. COM. REP. NO.  467-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2619

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2619 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY STORAGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to maximize cost-effective energy storage programs and technologies by establishing energy storage portfolio standards.

Sierra Club of Hawaii; Renewable Energy Action Coalition of Hawaii; Sempra USGP; Sunrun, Inc.; and an individual testified in support of this measure.  The Office of the Director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Public Utilities Commission; and Hawaiian Electric Companies commented on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Replacing the specific production goals for Energy Storage Portfolio Standards with a standard for determination of Energy Storage Portfolio Standards by the Public Utilities Commission;

     (2)  Clarifying that the establishment of Energy Storage Portfolio Standards is not intended to delay or prevent the Public Utilities Commission's approval of appropriate energy storage projects or alternate means to deliver clean energy; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     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 H.B. No. 2619, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2619, H.D. 1, 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