Bill Text: HI SR27 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Energy; Integrated Resource Planning

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-13 - Referred to ENE/CPN, WAM. [SR27 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-SR27-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	27
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A PUBLICLY FUNDED INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN TO MEET THE ELECTRIC energy NEEDS OF THE STATE AND TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE PRIOR TO THE 2015 REGULAR SESSION.

 

 

     WHEREAS, integrated resource plans are formulated by Hawaii's electric utilities to generally meet energy objectives and customer energy needs in a consistent manner with the State's energy policies and goals; and

 

     WHEREAS, historically, traditional integrated resource planning would assess the energy generation resource needs for a twenty-year planning period with the goal of meeting the increasing demand for electric power generation capacity; and

 

     WHEREAS, however, the local and global energy environments are dynamic and change rapidly and unpredictably; and

 

     WHEREAS, given high fuel costs, effective energy efficiency programs, customer self-generation, and declining utility sales and peak loads, the new challenges and goals of integrated resource planning include:

 

     (1)  Lowering costs to customers;

 

     (2)  Meeting the renewable portfolio standards (section 269-92, Hawaii Revised Statutes);

 

     (3)  Complying with more stringent environmental regulations;

 

     (4)  Supporting the achievement of energy efficiency portfolio standards;

 

     (5)  Facilitating customers' preferences, including customer-sited generation; and

 

     (6)  Capitalizing on technology evolutions and price decreases for energy resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, pursuant to H.C.R. No. 58, H.D. 1, S.D. 1 (2012), a new "scenario-based" integrated resource planning process requires that plans have the flexibility to accommodate a dynamic future; and

 

     WHEREAS, customers should come first in any integrated resource plan, including helping them to conserve energy, helping them to take advantage of energy efficiency and distributed generation options like photovoltaic, and providing them the most information and greatest control of their electricity use possible through tools such as smart meters and energy education; and

 

     WHEREAS, integrated resource plans should also continue to ensure the safe and reliable service for customers' homes and businesses, in whatever manner and from whatever source customers choose; and

 

     WHEREAS, the costs and benefits to Hawaii ratepayers and taxpayers, as well as the impact on social and environmental issues inherent in an integrated resource plan, need to be studied comprehensively and identified specifically; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company developed their 2013 Integrated Resource Planning Action Plan and Report in accordance with the integrated resource plan framework and filed their 2013 integrated resource plan with the Public Utilities Commission in June 2013; and

 

     WHEREAS, despite submission of this 2013 integrated resource plan, the Public Utilities Commission has not taken sufficient and timely action to implement the plan; and

 

     WHEREAS, as an alternative to a privately developed integrated resource plan, a publicly funded integrated resource plan could be developed independently of present electric utilities; and

 

WHEREAS, a publicly funded integrated resource plan could take into account the rapid changes in technology, demand, supply, and lifestyles of this State; identify all the major alternatives available and their pros and cons; and be offered to the public for comments; and

 

     WHEREAS, a publicly funded integrated resource plan could also address contemporary issues and include an ongoing review of problems faced by providers and current users; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Energy Office is an appropriate public entity that could undertake such a publicly funded integrated resource plan, as it deploys clean energy infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth, test bed investments, and energy security, and focuses on high impact solutions that:

 

     (1)  Remove barriers for greater renewable energy penetration and energy efficiency;

 

     (2)  Align government laws, regulations, and procedures with clean energy objectives; and

 

     (3)  Attract Hawaii-based clean energy research, development, and deployment of innovative energy investments; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to conduct a study of the feasibility of creating a publicly funded integrated resource plan to meet the electric energy needs of the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company are requested to cooperate with the Hawaii State Energy Office in performing the feasibility study; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to report to the Legislature its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the Strategic Industries Division/Hawaii State Energy Office, and the respective President or Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Energy; Integrated Resource Planning