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 received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Public Utilities Commission; and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.

 

     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,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair