Bill Text: HI HB279 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

---

Bill Title: Renewable Energy Branch; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [HB279 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB279-Amended.html

---

 

 

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 948

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 279

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 279, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to support renewable energy development in Hawaii by:

 

     (1)  Establishing a Renewable Energy Branch in the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to coordinate and promote renewable energy initiatives;

 

     (2)  Strengthening laws supporting energy diversification, long-term provision of dependable energy services, and use of diverse energy technologies; and

 

     (3)  Providing adequate resources for the support of the renewable energy industry, and for comprehensive energy planning, by DBEDT.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one private organization.  Testimony in support of the intent of this measure, with suggested amendments, was submitted by DBEDT.  Written testimony presented to your Committees may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committees find that the Hawaii State Energy Office, within DBEDT, has been focusing on renewable energy, and seeking and encouraging the use of federal funding for energy projects that use Hawaii's abundant renewable energy resources to meet a significant portion of its energy needs.  DBEDT has received feedback from federal sources that the framework established in the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative places the State in a good position for competitive funding for energy projects.  However, DBEDT asserts that without additional staff, it has limited capacity to pursue and act on these opportunities. 

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Replacing the term "energy analysts" with "positions" to clarify that DBEDT has the authority to identify and hire person with the necessary mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully carry out the duties of the Renewal Energy Branch;

 

     (2)  Adding a provision to address oversight of projects funded by federal grants, as suggested by DBEDT;

 

     (3)  Changing its effective date from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2009; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for style and clarity.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 279, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 279, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development and Technology,

 

____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair		____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair