STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1315

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.R. No. 158

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R. No. 158 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN REVIEWING THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES BY NEXTERA ENERGY, INC,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect the public interest in reviewing the proposed acquisition of the Hawaiian Electric Companies by NextEra Energy, Inc., by requesting the Public Utilities Commission to make various determinations regarding whether the proposed acquisition is beneficial to the State and its people and to consider imposing strict conditions on the proposed acquisition.

 

     Inter-Island Solar Supply; Hoomana Pono, LLC; The Alliance for Solar Choice; and two concerned individuals supported the measure.  NextEra Energy, Inc., supported the intent of the measure.  A concerned individual testified in opposition.  The Public Utilities Commission, Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, Maui Electric Company, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1260, and a concerned individual submitted comments.


     Your Committee has amended the measure by:

 

     (1)  Adjusting and increasing both the number and specificity of the various determinations that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to make regarding whether the proposed acquisition is beneficial to the State and its people;

 

     (2)  Urging the Public Utilities Commission to adopt the recommendation of the Consumer Advocate and establish a procedural schedule that would have the regulatory review process completed by June 2016 to allow for a complete and thorough review of the concerns raised by the merger application docket;

 

     (3)  Extending the deadline by which the Public Utilities Commission is requested to submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the House of Representatives to no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 158, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 158, H.D. 1.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair