STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1940

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 593

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 593, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Public Utilities Commission

G.M. No. 593

COLIN YOST, for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Colin Yost for service on the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Colin Yost from the Governor; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority; Mayor of the County of Kaua‘i; Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260; Blue Planet Foundation; Hawai‘i Energy; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Sierra Club of Hawai‘i; ProVision Solar, Inc.; AES; and twenty individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Yost's background, experience, and commitment to public service, qualify him for appointment to the Public Utilities Commission. Your Committee notes that Mr. Yost has over twenty-five years of experience as an attorney practicing in the areas of environmental law, civil litigation, business law, consumer law, civil rights, Native Hawaiian rights, real estate matters, and administrative proceedings. Prior to his appointment to the Public Utilities Commission in November 2022, Mr. Yost was the Chief Operating Officer, and former General counsel, for RevoluSun LLC, the largest solar and energy storage contractor in the State. In this position, Mr. Yost gained an in-depth technical and practical understanding of solar and battery storage project development, construction, and interconnection at the small industrial, commercial, and residential levels. Prior to that, Mr. Yost was a founding partner in the law firm Cruise & Yost LLLC, where he advised renewable energy companies on policy and regulatory matters, including numerous filings with the Public Utilities Commission. Mr. Yost also gained considerable experience and knowledge of the regulatory aspects of the telecommunications industry while working as an associate trial attorney at the Paul Johnson Park & Niles law firm.

Your Committee further finds that Mr. Yost recognizes and supports the State's energy policies and goals. Mr. Yost also acknowledges the oversight and administrative role of the Public Utilities Commission, the regulatory responsibilities that the Commission is required to fulfill, and the importance of balancing various interests from different perspectives. Mr. Yost noted that one of his goals for the Public Utilities Commission would be to accelerate and improve the ongoing transformation of the State's electricity and water infrastructure with a focus on community-driven solutions, affordability, reliability, and resilience. Mr. Yost also specified that he considers the Public Utilities Commission's Equity Docket to be of particular importance because it offers the potential of near-term remedies for communities that bear undue infrastructure burdens or have not been able to participate in the energy savings enjoyed by residents and businesses who install rooftop solar.

Your Committee notes that Mr. Yost's community involvement includes prior service as a board member for the Blue Planet Foundation, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and Partnership for Pacific Resilience, and as an executive committee member and chair of the Hawaii Sierra Club. Mr. Yost was also selected as an emerging leader by Hawaii Business Magazine's "20 for the Next 20: 2016" and was selected to the 2011 Pacific Century Fellows Program. Mr. Yost's broad and diversified background and extensive knowledge with public utilities law will be an invaluable complement to the expertise of other Public Utilities Commissioners. Your Committee therefore recommends that Colin Yost be appointed to the Public Utilities Commission based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

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

____________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair