STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1721

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1051

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1051, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish energy-efficiency portfolio standards to achieve 6,000 gigawatt hours of electricity use reductions statewide by 2045;

(2) Require the Public Utilities Commission to establish additional interim goals for electricity use reduction to be achieved by 2035 and 2040; and

(3) Authorize the Public Utilities Commission to adjust the 2030 and 2045 standards and any interim standards.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, Hawaii State Energy Office, Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency for the City and County of Honolulu, Office of Economic Development for the County of Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Electric, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Carbon Cashback Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Ulupono Initiative, 350Hawaii.org, Climate Future Forum, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, Coalition Earth, Hawaiʻi Energy, and seven individuals.

Your Committee finds that energy efficiency plays an important role in Hawaii's efforts to transition to clean energy, which is viewed often as the most cost-effective means to contribute to the State's clean energy goals. Your Committee also finds that the State's energy efficiency efforts serve as an important tool for effectively reducing the State's need for generating resources and providing a means for individual customers to lower their energy bills. Noting the significant importance of energy efficiency as a lowest-cost and non-emitting resource, this measure affirms the critical need to prioritize continued support for the State's ongoing progress towards its energy efficiency initiatives.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1051, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1051, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair