STAND. COM. REP. NO. 541-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 2460

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2460, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MICROGRIDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to designate and establish requirements for a Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) microgrid demonstration project on property controlled by NELHA that can assist in understanding, developing, and refining microgrid technologies and policies in the State.

NELHA, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, Life of the Land, Sierra Club Student Coalition, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, 350.org, and many individuals supported this measure. Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light opposed this measure. The Public Utilities Commission provided comments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2460, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2460, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair