STAND. COM. REP. NO. 522

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 461

       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 Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 461, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to de-link from the price of fossil fuels the rate paid by a public utility for nonfossil fuel generated electricity. 

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, Hawaiian Electric Company, Sierra Club, Blue Planet Foundation, and Alexander & Baldwin.  Testimony with comments on 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 de-linking the rate paid by a public utility for nonfossil fuel generated electricity from the price of fossil fuels provides the Public Utilities Commission with greater flexibility in determining fair and reasonable consumer electricity rates and will promote the development of renewable energy resources.  Your Committee further finds that increased use of renewable, nonfossil fuel electricity sources will strengthen Hawaii's economy and protect its environment. 

 

     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 S.B. No. 461, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair