HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1151
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the public utilities commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§269-    Electric utility and gas utility capital improvements; review; rate base. (a) An electric utility or gas utility shall submit proposed capital expenditures for any single project related to plant replacement, expansion, or modernization, in excess of $500,000 or ten per cent of the total plant in service, whichever is less, to the commission for review at least sixty days before the commencement of construction or commitment for expenditure, whichever is earlier.

(b) If the commission determines, after a hearing on the matter, that any portion of the proposed project provides facilities that are unnecessary or are unreasonably in excess of probable future requirements for electric utility or gas utility purposes, then the electric utility or gas utility shall not include that portion of the project in its rate base. If the electric utility or gas utility subsequently convinces the commission that the property in question are necessary or useful for public utility purposes, then the property may be included in the rate base.

(c) If the commission does not render a decision and order within ninety days of filing by the electric utility or gas utility, the electric utility or gas utility may include the capital expenditures for the proposed project in its rate base without the determination required by this section."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

PUC; Electric Utility; Gas Utility; Capital Improvements; Rate Base

Description:

Requires electric utilities and gas utilities to submit proposed capital expenditures for certain projects to the PUC for review and determination whether the project may be included in the utilities' rate base. Requires the PUC to make a determination within ninety days.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.