THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

169

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO INITIATE A DOCKET OR CONVENE A TASK FORCE ON POWER QUALITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF MODERN COMMERCE.

 

WHEREAS, our society has become increasingly dependent on sensitive electrical equipment; and

WHEREAS, the high technology, medical, banking, retail, and civil defense sectors of our economy are just some of the commerce activities that are highly dependent on reliable power quality to operate computerized systems; and

WHEREAS, internet centers and informational services are particularly sensitive to power disruptions; and

WHEREAS, "power quality" refers to the existence or non-existence of voltage sags, surges, spikes, interruptions, and harmonics on an electric line; and

WHEREAS, poor power quality leads to:

(1) Damaged electric equipment; and

(2) Extensive loss in business productivity and revenue;

and

WHEREAS, poor power quality therefore serves as a financial drain on our economy; and

WHEREAS, the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) extends to all aspects of electric utility services, including the quality, safety, and reliability of services provided by electric utilities; and

WHEREAS, the PUC General Order No. 7, Standards for Electric Utility Service in the State of Hawaii, was initially adopted on October 1, 1965, with revisions taking effect on February 18, 1968; and

WHEREAS, in May 1999, the PUC conducted public hearings on its proposed Chapter 6-70 to convert General Order No. 7 into the Hawaii Administrative Rules format, without discussion on the possibility of updating this order or rule; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the House of Representatives concurring, that the PUC is requested to initiate a docket (Docket) or convene a task force on power quality (Task Force) to develop and implement a plan to improve power quality to meet the needs of modern commerce; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the PUC, with respect to the Docket or Task Force, is requested to invite or consult with representatives of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Consumer Advocate, county energy offices, Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, independent power producers, Hawaiian Electric Company, Kauai Electric, citizen-consumer advocate organizations, and renewable energy advocate groups; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the PUC is requested to include in the Docket or Task Force:

(1) An examination of the present status of power quality in Hawaii;

(2) The root causes of poor power quality;

(3) Whether General Order No. 7 and proposed Chapter 6-70 meet current national standards for electric utility service;

(4) An examination of current grievances by customers relating to poor power quality and its reporting, response, and resolution status, and, if necessary, plans to improve poor power quality;

(5) Measurements to determine the power quality characteristics of all utility and non-utility generators with access to the distribution and transmission system;

(6) Whether equipment should be added to the electric grid to strengthen power quality;

(7) Whether interconnection nodes should have monitoring devices to obtain power quality measurements; and

(8) Whether legislation is required to address power quality issues;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the PUC is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the PUC, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Consumer Advocate, President of Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Manager of Kauai Electric, and county energy offices.

Report Title:

PUC; Open Docket or Convening Power Quality Task Force