STAND. COM. REP. NO.  625-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2077

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2077 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HYDROELECTRIC POWER,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize construction of small hydropower facilities as defined by the United States Department of Energy in a manner that combines clean energy infrastructure and irrigation for agricultural lands.  This measure also clarifies that hydroelectric facilities shall not be required to be an accessory to agricultural land for agricultural use only.

 

     Blue Planet Foundation, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Ulupono Initiative, and the Hawaii Fresh Water Initiative testified in support of this measure.  The Hookipa Network Kauai, Aha Moku Kauai, Pōai Wai Ola, Earthjustice, Kekaha Hawaiian Homestead Association, Hanalei Watershed Hui, and numerous individuals testified in opposition.  The Department of Agriculture provided comments.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the approval of the Commission on Water Resource Management if the hydroelectric generating capacity of a hydroelectric facility is over 500 kilowatts; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2077, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2077, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land,

 

 

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair