STAND. COM. REP. NO.  78-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2616

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2616 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make the benefits of renewable-energy generation more accessible to a greater number of Hawaii residents by establishing a community net energy metering program to be administered by the Public Utilities Commission.

The Blue Planet Foundation and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light Company opposed the measure.  The Public Utilities Commission submitted comments.

     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. 2616 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair