STAND. COM. REP. NO. 908-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2020

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2020, 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 broaden the definition of "renewable energy producer" that is used to determine the Board of Land and Natural Resources' disposition of public lands to renewable energy producers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission and Hawaiian Electric.

Your Committee finds that under existing law, to be eligible for public lands as a renewable energy producer, the producer is required to sell all of the net power produced from the demised premises to an electric utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. Evolving renewable energy technology now includes far more than electricity generated by solar panels, and the governing statutes should reflect this reality. Removing the requirement that power be sold to an electric utility would provide the Department of Land and Natural Resources with greater flexibility to generate revenue to support its mission. This measure amends the definition of "renewable energy producer" to include a broad range of technologies and uses.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Prohibiting energy from renewable energy producers from being wheeled over existing utility lines; and

(2) 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair