STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1408-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.R. No. 167

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.R. No. 167, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FOR AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES THAT PRODUCE FOOD FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION AND TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE INCENTIVES FOR AGRICULTURAL USES THAT MAY BE SHIFTED TO OFF-PEAK TIMES OR MAY BE AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN DEMAND RESPONSE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE ELECTRIC GRID,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to achieve greater food security in the State by offsetting the energy costs for food producers in Hawaii.

The Public Utilities Commission and one individual testified in support of this measure. The Department of Agriculture and the Local Food Coalition supported this measure with amendments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that the resolution applies to all agricultural activities, especially those activities involving the production of food for local consumption and amending the title of the resolution to conform to these changes.

     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.R. No. 167, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 167, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair