STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1463

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.B. No. 932

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 932, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish and appropriate funds out of the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund to provide financial assistance for investments in a broad range of clean energy technologies;

 

     (2)  Authorize monies in the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Special Fund to be used to finance the option to purchase solar energy systems and other clean energy equipment, including the purchase or lease of electric vehicles and installation of electric vehicle charging systems; and

 

     (3)  Repeal the Building Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority; Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauai; Climate Protectors Hawaii; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Blue Planet Foundation; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Public Utilities Commission.

 

     Your Committee finds that significant investment in clean energy technology and infrastructure will be required to achieve the State's goals of energy self-sufficiency, energy security, and energy diversification.  However, a significant barrier to clean energy adoption has been the unavailability of flexible financing and low-cost capital.  Your Committee believes that public funds must be used in a sustainable manner to increase customer demand for clean energy technology and attract private investment in green technology.  This measure provides the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority with a variety of financing options to support investment in and implementation of clean energy technology and infrastructure in the State.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 932, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair