HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

88

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the public utilities commission to require that all documents, testimony, and visual displays submitted to THE COMMISSION, in connection with a docket INCLUDE ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THE NET OR PROJECTED energy GENERATION in addition to the nameplate capacity.

 

 


     WHEREAS, section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires each electric utility company to establish a renewable portfolio standard of one hundred percent of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2045; and

 

     WHEREAS, a statewide survey shows that eighty-five percent of the public supports developing more sources of renewable energy in Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Commission regulates all chartered, franchised, certificated, and registered public utility companies operating in the State; reviews and approves rates, tariffs, charges and fees; determines the allowable rate of earnings in establishing rates; issues guidelines concerning the general management of franchised or certificated utility businesses; and acts on requests for the acquisition, sale, disposition or other exchange of utility properties, including mergers and consolidations; and

 

     WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of this body that information made available to the public may be unclear on the distinction between nameplate capacity and rated output; and

 

     WHEREAS, renewable energy projects which lack clarity on the ability of the project to produce energy may discourage public support for the project; and

 

     WHEREAS, the public has a right to accurate and readily comprehensible information about energy projects in order to submit informed testimony on a docket; and

 

     WHEREAS, statewide wind production capacity is estimated to be 171 megawatts by nameplate capacity but the actual energy capacity is estimated to be only thirty-two percent of that amount; and

 

     WHEREAS, for solar photovoltaics and wind power, the calculations of the nameplate capacity or rated output do not usually represent the actual energy generation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the public can be misled due to a lack of awareness of the difference between a project's advertised nameplate capacity and a project's net energy generation; and

 

     WHEREAS, net generation refers to the amount of gross electricity generation a generator produces minus the electricity used to operate the power plant such as fuel handling equipment, water pumps, combustion and cooling air fans; pollution control equipment; and other electricity needs; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, that the Public Utilities Commission is urged to require that all documents, testimony, and visual displays submitted to the Commission in connection with a docket include accurate information on the net or projected energy generation in addition to the nameplate capacity; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all applicable discussions during public meetings of the Public Utilities Commission refer to the net or projected energy generation in addition to the nameplate capacity; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chair of the Public Utilities Commission; and Hawaii State Energy Office.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Public Utilities Commission; Nameplate Capacity