STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1059-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2072

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2072, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help achieve the State's renewable portfolio standard of one hundred percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by December 31, 2045, by requiring:

(1) The Governor; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Hawaii State Energy Office to develop a strategic plan that outlines benchmarks to meet the renewable portfolio standard; and

(2) The Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii to conduct a feasibility study on the State's ability to achieve the renewable portfolio standard.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from IMUAlliance, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Public Health Association, Climate Protectors Coalition, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Hawaii State Energy Office; and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii State Energy Office should be the lead entity to develop and communicate a strategy to determine how renewable energy projects can be sited to minimize negative impacts and address community concerns, as well as to assess how Hawaii's several related statutes regarding renewable energy, energy efficiency, and its zero emissions clean economy target will be achieved.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the strategic plan should also identify clear benchmarks to attain the zero emissions clean economy target;

(2) Deleting the feasibility study requirement;

(3) Requiring the Chief Energy Officer to convene an advisory group to facilitate discussions about energy policy in the State;

(4) Appropriating an unspecified amount for the advisory group; and

(5) 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 S.B. No. 2072, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2072, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair