STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1353

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1149

       H.D. 3

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1149, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WIND ENERGY FACILITIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to protect the public against health and safety hazards and to preserve the natural beauty of Hawaii by establishing requirements for the decommissioning of wind energy facilities.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and one concerned individual.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

 

     Your Committee finds that abandoned and improperly maintained wind energy facilities pose a health and safety risk to the public, as well as result in a blight on the natural environment.  Large scale wind energy facilities consist of large wind turbines, electrical substations, electrical lines, and other structures that when left to deteriorate may cause severe damage to life and property.  This measure would improve public safety by helping to ensure safe dismantling of wind energy facilities at the end of their useful life.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

 

(2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of style and clarity.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1149, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1149, H.D. 3, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair