STAND. COM. REP. NO. 210

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1040

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Technology and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 1040 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC SYSTEMS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Public Utilities Commission to consider the value of improving electrical generation, transmission, and distribution systems and infrastructure through the use of advanced grid modernization technology throughout the State.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Public Utilities Commission; Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.; Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter; and Blue Planet Foundation.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Life of the Land.

 

     Your Committees find that this measure provides clear direction to the Public Utilities Commission with respect to grid infrastructure improvements and gives the Public Utilities Commission legislative guidance to consider the implementation of advanced grid modernization technologies as it carries out its duties.

 

     Your Committees further find that advanced grid modernization technologies can provide system operators and consumers with multiple benefits, including improved grid communications, electric system reliability, and operational efficiencies.  Smart grid technologies, which are included in advanced grid modernization technology, are also highly critical early stage technologies that can enable the State to meet the renewable portfolio standards requirements under the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.  This measure ensures that the Public Utilities Commission considers the value of these technologies as a means of improving the State's electric system.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Technology and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1040 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Technology and the Arts,

 

____________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair