STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1184

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 591

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 591, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize and encourage the establishment of preferential rates for renewable energy produced in conjunction with agricultural activities.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.  Testimony with comments on this measure was received from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was received from the Public Utilities Commission.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure will assist the State in achieving its goals of increased energy self-sufficiency and increased agricultural sustainability.  Your Committee further finds that preferential rates for electrical energy produced in conjunction with agricultural activities will support the long-term viability of both renewable energy production and sustainable agriculture.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Amending section one to clarify the definition of renewable energy produced in conjunction with agricultural activities; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, substantive changes for the purpose of clarity and accuracy in its language. 

 

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 591, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 591, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair