STAND. COM. REP. NO. 695-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2089

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2089, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Amend the definition of "renewable portfolio standard" to more accurately reflect the percentage of renewable electrical energy generated in the State; and

(2) Expand the events or circumstances that are beyond an electric utility company's reasonable control to include non-renewable energy generated by electric generation facilities where the electric utility company does not have direct control or ownership.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Transportation; Public Utilities Commission; Hawaii State Energy Office; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Ulupono Initiative; Blue Planet Foundation; Hawaiian Electric Company; Hawaii Clean Power Alliance; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii statutorily committed to one hundred percent renewable energy sales in the State by 2045 through the enactment of Act 97, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015. However, the calculation of the renewable portfolio standard, which is based on electrical energy sales rather than electrical energy generation, overestimates the amount of renewable energy serving the State's electric utility customers. Amending the method by which the one hundred percent renewable energy goal is calculated will enable a more accurate determination of whether the State is truly achieving its goal of sourcing one hundred percent of its electricity from renewable sources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2089, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair