STAND. COM. REP. NO. 245-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1863

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1863 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a study to make recommendations for a comprehensive approach to the development of electric vehicle infrastructure.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Pono Hawaii Initiative, Our Revolution Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association, 350Hawaii.org, Climate Protectors Coalition, and fifteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Life of the Land and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Consumer Advocacy, State Procurement Office, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and Ulupono Initiative.

Your Committee finds that there are many questions to consider in the development of statewide electric vehicle infrastructure to ensure that the infrastructure serves areas and populations that are currently underserved. There are also concerns about how to ensure that infrastructure is functional, reliable, accessible, and operated in a way that contributes to the functionality of the grid and its ability to accommodate more renewable energy and distributed generation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the scope of the study and removing the reference to studying incentives that the utility could offer to develop electric vehicle infrastructure and accelerate adoption of electric vehicles in the State;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

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. 1863, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1863, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Transportation.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair