STAND. COM. REP. No.
'101
Honolulu, Hawaii
APRUHUZS
RE: s.R. No. 143
s.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2023
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which
was referred S.R. No. 143 entitled:
"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
TO MOVE BEYOND CURRENT RATE STRUCTURES AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
BENEFITS FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT HOST RENEWABLE ENERGY
PROJECTS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the
Public Utilities Commission to move beyond current rate structures
andprovide additional benefits for those communities that host
renewable energy projects.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i. Your Committee received comments
on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer
Protection and Public Utilities Commission.
Your Committee finds that the State's growing need for clean
energy has accelerated the development and construction of
different renewable energy projects in more locations around the
State, creating new jobs and opportunities for "host communities."
Although these projects may boost the local economy, residents
living in a community that hosts a large-scale renewable energy
project often face a disruption in their lives due to the burdens
of the energy infrastructure. Residents of the State living in
2023-2443 SR SSCR SMA-2.dOCX
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 STAND. COM. REP. No.
page 2 l‘lo
communities that host large—scale renewable energy projects are
charged a flat rate for energy by their providers, regardless of
their proximity to these energy—producing projects and benefit
packages provided by developers to these communities are often not
enough to provide them with fair compensation. Communities around
the State should be encouraged to host more large—scale renewable
energy projects. Favorable energy rates and the provision of
direct benefits to host communities can help encourage community
buy—in and investment. The Public Utilities Commission has the
oversight of and authority to influence the rate structures of
energy providers. Therefore, this measure supports the State's
goals to advance energy equity and the timely transition to a
renewable energy future. Your Committee further notes that the
Public Utilities Commission has also been requested to examine
providing retroactive benefits for communities that already host
existing renewable energy projects.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the Public Utilities Commission is
requested to revise, rather than move beyond, current
rate structures for those communities that host
renewable energy projects; and
(2) Amending its title accordingly.
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 concurs with the intent and purpose of
S.R. No. 143, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in
the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 143, S.D. l.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Commerce and
Consumer Protection
JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair
2023-2443 SR SSCR SMA-2.dOCX
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 Th e Senate
Thirty-Second Legislature
State of Hawai‘i
Record of Votes
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection
CPN
Bill / Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date:
JRH’b CPN (Vb/1‘ [w
D The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to:
The Recommendation is:
D Pass, unamended
2312
Pass, with amendments
2311
D Hold
2310
Recommit
2313
Members Aye Aye (WR) Nay Excused
KEOHOKALOLE, Jarrett (C) V
FUKUNAGA,CmoHVC) VJ
MCKELVEY, Angus L.K. x/
RICHARDS, III, Herbert M. ‘Tim” x/
AWA, Brenton x/
TOTAL 5
Recommendation:
'///
Chair’ s or Designee’ s Signature.
Distribution. Original
File with Committee
M Adopted
Rgort
Yellow
Clerk's Office
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
/ D
Pink
Not Adopted
Drafting Agency
Goldenrod
Committee File Copy
Revised: 11/30/22