STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1421

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 691

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 691, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EFFICIENCY STANDARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office, rather than the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to enforce minimum efficiency standards and adopt or amend efficiency standards; and

(2) Set minimum efficiency standards for air purifiers, electric vehicle supply equipment, portable electric spas, residential ventilating fans, toilets, urinals, and water coolers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Energy, Blue Planet Foundation, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Home Ventilating Institute, and Appliance Standards Awareness Project.

Your Committee finds that adopting policies that promote and encourage energy efficiency can provide relief for families and businesses faced with high utility bills. While the Legislature has taken steps to establish minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain products sold, leased, or rented in the State, this measure expands the list of products with minimum efficiency standards to ensure that Hawaii residents and businesses do not miss out on potential utility bill savings and reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting definitions for "air purifier", "electric vehicle supply equipment", and "industrial air purifier";

(2) Removing air purifiers and electric vehicle supply equipment from products that must meet certain minimum efficiency standards;

(3) Clarifying the minimum efficiency standards for water coolers;

(4) Allowing manufacturers to utilize the Home Ventilating Institute's Certified Products Directory Certification Program to meet certain standards;

(5) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, 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. 691, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 691, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair