STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1074

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 932

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 932, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund;

(2) Repeal the Building Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund;

(3) Authorize monies in the Green Infrastructure Special Fund to be used to finance the option to purchase solar energy systems and other clean energy equipment, including the purchase or lease of electric vehicles; and

(4) Appropriate funds out of the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, Hawaii State Energy Office, Office of Economic Development of the County of Kaua‘i, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Blue Planet Foundation, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Public Utilities Commission; and Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that significant investment in clean energy technology and infrastructure will be required to achieve the State's goals of energy self-sufficiency, energy security, and energy diversification. This measure provides the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority with a variety of financing options to support investment in and implementation of clean energy technology and infrastructure in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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. 932, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 932, 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