STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 9
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2021
RE: H.B. No. 78
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2021
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 78 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to eliminate the requirement for
a public utility to seek approval from the Public Utilities Commission for the
underground construction of high-voltage electric transmission lines if certain
conditions are met.
Your
Committee finds that this measure will streamline the regulatory process for
installation of underground electric transmission lines, while maintaining
appropriate oversight by the Public Utilities Commission. Additionally, this measure reduces the need
for the Commission to review projects that would not adversely affect customers,
which may result in more time and resources being utilized on other proceedings
that require more attention.
Your
Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying the regulatory treatment of costs covered by an entity other than the public utility;
(2) Changing the 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. 78, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 78, 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,
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____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair |
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