STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1090-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2604

      S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2604, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A MICROGRID PILOT PROJECT FOR SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to implement an off-grid microgrid pilot project at a school of the Department's choice through Ka Hei, an educational-enrichment and comprehensive energy and sustainability program within the Department.

The Board of Education, Department of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Opterra Energy Services, and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Land Use Research Foundation submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that on June 15, 2015, the Department of Education began accepting applications for utility interconnection with five grid-connected microgrid pilot projects on Maui and Hawaii Island, with an eight-week period during which the utility was expected to respond.  However, nearly a year later, no interconnection agreement has been approved.

     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. 2604, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair