STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1961-22

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 Finance, 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 Hawaii, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Progressive Democrats of Hawaii, Hawaii Forest Stewards, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, 350Hawaii.org, and nineteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and numerous individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance 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 pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair