Bill Text: HI SB287 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Geothermal Energy; Energy Self-Sufficiency
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB287 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB287-Amended.html
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 252
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 287
S.D. 1
Honorable Colleen Hanabusa
President of the Senate
Twenty-Fifth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2009
State of Hawaii
Madam:
Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 287 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to require maximum use of geothermal energy on the island of Hawaii to achieve energy self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels; and to establish a pilot program and a tax credit to facilitate the development of infrastructure for the deployment of renewable energy resources, including geothermal resources.
Testimony in support of the intent of the measure, with comments, was submitted by three state agencies and one private organization. Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by one private organization. Copies of written testimony are available for review on the Legislature's website.
The Public Utilities Commission submitted comments regarding the language in the measure that would require the Public Utilities Commission to direct public utilities to arrange for the acquisition of and to acquire electricity generated from geothermal sources at the maximum capacity that is available from the producers of geothermal energy. The Public Utilities Commission expressed concern regarding the cost impact to ratepayers, as the measure as currently drafted would appear to require the acquisition of all available geothermal resources without regard to cost. The Public Utilities Commission suggested replacing the mandatory "shall" with the permissive "may".
Your Committee recognizes that it is important to maximize the use of geothermal energy on the island of Hawaii to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and to achieve energy self-sufficiency. As fossil fuel and petroleum prices become more volatile, Hawaii's ability to generate its own energy will make the State more secure and less reliant on outside sources.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Making technical, nonsubstantive stylistic changes; and
(2) Adopting the recommendation of the Public Utilities Commission by substituting the word "shall" with "may" within the provision regarding the acquisition of geothermal energy.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 287, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 287, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,
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____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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