STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1058

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   H.B. No. 550

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 550, 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:

 

     (1)  Require the Public Utilities Commission (Commission) to study the feasibility of implementing renewable portfolio standards to encourage the use of renewable energy by gas utility companies;

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the required study;

 

     (3)  Require the Commission to report its findings and revisions to the renewable portfolio standards based on its study to the Legislature before the convening of the Regular Session of 2021, and for every five years thereafter; and

 

     (4)  Amend the renewable portfolio standard interim goals for 2030 and 2040 for electric utility companies to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.

 

     Ulupono Initiative, Health Climate Communities, Life of the Land, and a few individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Kauai Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, We Are One, Inc., Apollo Kauai, 350Hawaii.org, and numerous individuals provided testimony in opposition.  The Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Department of Transportation, Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, Hawaii Gas, Par Hawaii, Elemental Excelerator, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Blue Planet Foundation, Organizing for Action, Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers, Local 996, and a concerned individual provided comments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 550, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair