STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3339

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2255

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 2255, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend energy efficiency standards for state buildings and facilities to:

(1) Require that public benefits fee administrator and utility rebates be used where available; and

(2) Prioritize appliances that meet the required standards to qualify for public benefits fee administrator rebates.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Laulima Mechatronics, Hawai‘i Energy – Conservation and Efficiency Program, Climate Protectors Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committees find that the State's Public Benefits Fee Administrator is responsible for a number of demand-side management programs and initiatives, which include offering rebates on various types of energy efficient appliances for both residences and businesses. Your Committees further find that by requiring the use of rebates for the purchase of energy-efficient equipment and prioritizing the purchase of energy-efficient appliances for state buildings and facilities, the State will reduce its demand for and costs associated with energy consumption, thereby helping it meet its clean energy and decarbonization goals by 2045.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2255, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2255, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations,

________________________________ SHARON MORIWAKI, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair