HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1494

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE PHOTOVOLATIC INTERCONNECTION TASK FORCE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that modernizing the electrical grid is essential to meeting Hawaii's clean energy and self-sufficiency goals, however, it is the public utilities commission that is entrusted with increased authority and discretion to implement the State's clean energy policies.  Act 109, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014, directs the public utilities commission to expedite movement towards advanced grid modernization, which includes maximizing interconnection of distributed generation and commencing regulatory actions to address the associated technical, policy, and economic issues.  The legislature further finds a need for greater oversight of the public utilities commission, and a public interest in expediting independent reports addressing the photovoltaic interconnection issues that are stifling renewable progress in Hawaii.   

The purpose of this Act is to establish a photovoltaic interconnection task force to address interconnection issues with increased transparency achieved by engaging technical experts, academics, and key industry players, independent of the public utilities commission's direction, to expeditiously evaluate current interconnection opportunities, including developing guidelines and a timeframe for renewable energy interconnection across the state.

SECTION 2.  (a) There is created the photovoltaic interconnection task force.

(b)  The task force shall consist of designees from the following groups:

     (1)  University of Hawaii's Natural Energy Institute;

     (2)  Hawaii Solar Energy Industries Association;

     (3)  Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance;

     (4)  The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative;

     (5)  Blue Planet Foundation;

     (6)  American Electric, LLC;

     (7)  Bonterra Solar Hawaii, LLC;

     (8)  Eco Solar LLC;

     (9)  Haleakala Solar, INC.;

          (10) RevoluSun, LLC;

     (11) Rising Sun Solar, LLC;

     (12) Sunetric Capital, LLC; and

     (13) Sunrun, Inc.

     (c)  The task force shall:

     (1)  Examine the interconnection reports presented by the public utilities commission;

     (2)  Develop guidelines for effective

          interconnection across the state; and

     (3)  Present realistic timeframes for statewide interconnection.

     (d)  The task force shall be administratively placed in the office of the auditor.  The auditor shall initiate the organization of and provide staff support for the task force. (e)  The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.  The reimbursements shall be made by the auditor, who shall submit a request to the legislature for an appropriation equal to the reimbursements made and expected to be made.  The auditor shall submit the requests for inclusion in the legislative budget act of 2016.

     (f)  The task force shall submit an initial interim report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016. The interim reports shall include:

     (1)  Identification of opportunities for interconnection improvements.

     (2)  Guidelines and timeframes for interconnections over the next ten years.

     (g)  The task force shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

     (h)  The task force shall be dissolved on June 30, 2017.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Renewable Energy; Photovoltaic Interconnection; Task Force.

 

Description:

Establishes a photovoltaic interconnection task force comprised of stakeholders, academics, and technical experts independent of the public utilities commission, to present reports to the legislature.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.