STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1442-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2510

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2510, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the Hawaii State Planning Act to give consideration to:

(1) Reducing reliance on energy imports;

(2) Ensuring that all new utility scale electricity generation projects are renewable;

(3) Balancing of grid resources, including firm renewable energy resources, to achieve certain goals and targets;

(4) Ensuring reliable replacement of fossil fuel generation with balanced grid resources;

(5) Prohibiting fossil fuel generation after December 31, 2045, except in certain circumstances; and

(6) Expanding vocational training in renewable energy and related industries.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office; Sustainable Energy Hawai‘i; International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142, Local 100, and Hawaii Longshore Division; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Pacific Biodiesel Technologies; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Our Revolution Hawaii, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Recycle Hawaii and Clean the Pacific, 350Hawaii.org, and fourteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Hawaii Forest Stewards, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, Hawaiian Electric, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that there is an increasing need to develop an array of renewable energy sources to meet the State's goal of one hundred percent renewable energy by 2045. Your Committee further finds that incorporating certain considerations into state energy planning will provide a framework for the State to achieve its clean energy goals through a well-balanced portfolio of reliable, resilient, and affordable sources of energy.

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 S.B. No. 2510, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair