STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1367

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 1353

S.D. 1

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. 1353, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Expand the duties of the Hawaii State Energy Office to include developing opportunities for economic development; and

(2) Transfer certain duties relating to energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy resilience, and clean transportation related incentives, programs, and goals from the Chief Energy Officer to the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Clean Power Alliance. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Climate Protectors Coalition. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that as the State achieves its renewable energy goals by 2045, it may be necessary and appropriate for the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop economic opportunities, especially in the current economic climate. This measure expands the duties of the Hawaii State Energy Office to identify and explore opportunities for significant economic development in its promotion of energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy resilience, and clean transportation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the purpose of the Hawaii State Energy Office shall be to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy resilience, and clean transportation, and to facilitate the achievement of a zero emissions clean economy;

(2) Clarifying the responsibilities of the Hawaii State Energy Office by:

(A) Restoring provisions relating to providing analysis and planning; providing renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy resiliency, and clean transportation project deployment facilitation; and engaging the private sector to achieve renewable energy and clean transportation goals;

(B) Ensuring that all of the duties of the Chief Energy Officer are transferred to the Hawaii State Energy Office; and

(C) Assigning the Office additional responsibilities relating to advocacy and program recommendation, providing technical assistance, and facilitating workforce development;

(3) Deleting certain requirements for annual reports by the Hawaii State Energy Office;

(4) Deleting certain background requirements of the Chief Energy Officer;

(5) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(6) 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. 1353, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1353, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair