HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1567

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds major energy projects provide benefits to all ratepayers on an electric grid.  Communities serving as hosts for major energy projects see the same benefit from them as ratepayers in other areas, yet must live with the negative impacts of those projects while ratepayers in other areas do not.  Therefore, the legislature finds it is fair and in the public interest to ensure meaningful benefit to communities that serve as hosts to major energy projects above and beyond benefits accrued by the overall electric grid.

     The purpose of this Act is to empower and encourage the public utilities commission to ensure benefit for communities hosting major energy projects. 

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§269-    Preferential electricity rates for communities hosting energy projects.  The public utilities commission may authorize preferential electricity rates for ratepayers residing in communities that serve as geographic hosts for energy projects.  The application process for obtaining preferential electricity rates may be established by the public utilities commission.  When determining a preferential electricity rate, the commission shall not allow the preferential electricity rate to absolve an energy project developer from providing a meaningful community benefit when found to be appropriate by the commission."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.


 


 

Report Title:

Public Utilities Commission; Rates; Energy Projects

 

Description:

Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to establish preferential electricity rates for communities that serve as geographic hosts for energy projects.  (HB1567 HD1)

 

 

 

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