STAND. COM. REP. NO. 46-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2301

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. 2301 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY FINANCING FOR STATE AGENCIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Expand the objective of the $50,000,000 sub-fund within the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Special Fund to allow state agencies to finance purchase options under existing energy performance contracts and power purchase agreements to further reduce and stabilize future energy costs; and

(2) Allow an agency to utilize these savings to finance the installation of electric vehicle charging systems and the lease or purchase of electric vehicles.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism; Department of Transportation; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority; Climate Protectors Coalition; Hawaiian Electric; Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association; Our Revolution Hawaii; Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association and Big Island Electric Vehicle Association; Pono Hawaii Initiative; Ulupono Initiative; 350Hawaii.org; and eighteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Life of the Land.

Your Committee finds that with the number of energy performance contracts and power purchase agreements in existence throughout the State, there is a tremendous opportunity for additional energy savings. These savings can be utilized to finance the conversion of the State's retiring internal combustion fleet to electric vehicles and to install electric vehicle charging systems, while remaining budget neutral.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050; and

(2) 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. 2301, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2301, 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