House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

Good morning, and welcome to the Committee on Energy and environmental protection. Today is March Tuesday, 03/17/2026. It's 09:15AM. We're in Conference Room 325, and we have several items before us today. We're gonna begin with SB 3081 SD one relating to a program to characterize the potential of underground energy resources statewide. First to testify, we have the Hawaii State Energy Office in support in person.

Morning, Chair, Vice Chair, and the campus. On behalf of the Hawaii State Energy Office, we stand on our written testimony and support.

Support. Thank you. Thank you. Next, sign up to testify, we have DLNR. Brian or Phil Nigro.

Yep. Yeah. My name's Phil Nigro, representative from DLNR engineering department, mineral resource section. We stand on our written testimony. We have no further questions.

We also have, testimony and support from DBET, Sustainable Energy Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, Land Use Research Foundation, and all in support, and three individuals in opposition, four in support. Is there anyone else who wishes to testify on this matter? Seeing none, Chair, do you have any questions? I also have no questions on this measure, so we'll move on to the next one, which is, SB 2902 SD 2 relating to renewable energy. And this is about portable solar energy generation devices.

First, to testify on this measure, we have two we have sorry. My apologies. DCCA, Michael Angelo with comments in person.

Morning Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee for listening in. Michelangelo, executive director, division of consumer advocacy. Stand on our testimony providing comments. We have any questions. Thank you.

Thank you. Next to testify, we have the PUC, John Itamura with comments in person.

Morning, Chair Lowen, Vice Chair of Perruso, Members of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. My name is Andrew Kaveh. I'm an engineer at the commission. I'm here on behalf of Terry Temor and the commission. I signed the commission's written testimony offering comments on SB 2902 SD two.

Available for any questions, committee may have. Thank you.

Mahalo. Next to testify, we have Lee Lea Laramie, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission in support in person.

Aloha Chair and Vice Chair, Leah Laramie with Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Summer of Disabilities in support. Thank you.

Next, we have, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, in support on Zoom. Not present. We have Life of the Land and Henry Curtis in support in person.

Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, committee members. Henry Curtis, executive director of Life of the Land. We support the bill, and we wanna take, recognition of the firefighters who have concerns. So we believe that the PUC should be the one that actually has their thumb on the button approving it, but the firefighters should probably have access to the entire database so they know what what's happening and they can participate in the PUC proceeding in setting up the standards. Mahalo.

Thank you. We also have, testimony in support from 350 Hawaii on Zoom. Aloha.

Can you hear me?

We can.

Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. My name is Sherry Pollock, and I'm with 350 Hawaii. We stand in, support of this measure, and are just offering some amendments. Our members are very, very anxious to see plug in solar systems allowed in our state. Electricity costs are high and costs are rising.

Plug in solar systems are game changing. This is about cutting energy costs and reducing emissions by updating our rules to match the realities of new safe proven technologies. Everyone that could benefit from plug in solar should have access to installing it. For too long, the benefits of solar energy have been limited to homeowners with the capital to invest in rooftop projects. Plug in solar reinvents this narrative, making cheap, clean energy viable for everyone, something sorely needed.

4,000,000 households in Germany already have plug in solar systems. Utah unanimously passed a bill last year approving them with no safety incidents or fires reported since. These systems are low cost and they work for renters, apartments and homes with unsuitable roofs. So many struggling to pay their electric bill could benefit from plug in solar. We strongly urge the committee to consider our suggested amendments aimed at keeping plug in solar simple, accessible and importantly, expanding this option to everyone.

It would be an enormous tragedy to limit these cost saving pollution reducing benefits to just those living under condo associations. Our written testimony provides more details on this. Plug in solar is a wonderful solution, including to the rooster too. Let's make sure everyone can take advantage of it. Sustainability should not be a privilege. Mahalo.

Thank you. Green Peace Hawaii in support on Zoom.

Morning.

Jay Moncher, Green Peace Hawaii. As you know, I've been coming here for many years testifying in my regard to their concerns about the growing climate crisis. And I just saw a video of a woman over there on Maui who was showing Kaanapali Beach is washing away. The growing climate crisis is getting more severe more quickly than scientists had predicted. There's trees falling out of the ocean over there on Kaanapali Beach, but a house over here on the North Shore falling out of the ocean because of climate change.

So we really need to step up our game. I know we're we're we're working hard here in Hawaii, and you guys have worked really hard to increase our use of solar. But, yeah, but it's a biggest concern here that we need to be moving more quickly. I mentioned in my testimony real quickly here that by comparison, gas generators and stoves that were bought without permits are registering them. Four hundred Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning linked to, not linked to fires.

Additional 20,000 visit emergency rooms. Four thousand are hospitalized. US consumer product, safety commission estimates a hundred people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with portable gas generators. And National Fire Protection, agency reports US fire departments respond to 3,200 gas related residency fires per year because of gas generators and stoves. This is not a problem with car with these, plug in solar systems.

So just three quick points. Please expand the bill to ensure all households can access back way solar, not just condo owners. We need to expand dramatically our use of solar to cut down on our carbon emissions, remove any requirements for customers to register their product with the utility or a public service commission, or remove any language that requires approval from a board cons I'm trying I'm in there's no problem here with condo boards. Once again, thank you so much. You guys have been working so hard.

I just appreciate your efforts. You've been one of the best, you know, committees working to help us address the global climate crisis. Have a really good day, Aloha.

Thank you. We also have Bright Saver, Hannah Ellis, in support on Zoom.

Good morning, Chair Lowen, members of the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. My name is Hannah Ellis representing the Bright Saver, a nonprofit that is building the plug in solar movement in The US. We stand in our written testimony to strongly support SB 2902 to allow the people of Hawaii to access plug in solar. We'd actually ask the committee to amend the bill to ensure plug in solar is accessible across all housing types, not just condominiums. I wanna use my time just to clarify a few points in written, in the written and oral testimony so far.

The concern has been raised that this technology could keep sending electricity to the power lines even during an outage, putting utility blind workers at serious risk of electrophysation, while they make repairs. This risk is fully addressed in The U.S. Standard. As soon as the grid goes down, the plug in solar systems inverters automatically stop producing power, so it cannot send electricity to the power lines.

This functionality, which is crucial to the safety of traditional rooftop solar systems, has been a required feature of this equipment for over 25 years. And my workers are not endangered by these plug in solar systems. SB 2902 represents an important step towards expanding access to affordable, safe, and consumer driven clean energy to the people of Hawaii. With target amendments to broaden eligibility beyond condominiums, this bill can better align with its stated intent to deliver meaningful savings to the residents, of Hawaii who need it most. We respectfully urge the committee to support SB 2902 with these amendments, and thank you all for the opportunity to submit testimony.

Thanks.

Thank you. Also, Carbon Cashback Hawaii, John Kawamoto in support on Zoom.

Aloha. My name is John Kawamoto testifying on behalf of Carbon Cashback Hawaii. We are in strong support of this bill because it gives the hundreds of thousands of Hawaii residents who live in condos an affordable option to generate electricity to reduce their electricity bills in a climate friendly manner. Millions of balcony solar devices are already operating in Germany. Last year, Utah was the first state to pass a balcony solar law.

Virginia's legislature recently passed the balcony solar bill, which its governor is expected to sign. Many other states are considering similar legislation. This bill requires the PUC to determine the required certification standard for balcony solar, including a standard certified by Underwriters Laboratories. Underwriters Laboratories is now known as UL Solutions, which has issued the UL 3,700 safety certification framework for balcony solar. According to UL Solutions, UL 3,700 marks a major step forward helping remove regulatory uncertainty and making plug in solar a potential choice for consumers across The US.

This bill limits balcony solar devices to 1.2 kilowatts. For safety reasons, we suggest an amendment limiting all balcony solar devices in any particular home to 1.2 kilowatts. In addition, we suggest extending the option to install balcony solar to all homes so that all of Hawaii residents can benefit from this new technology. With these amendments, Carbon Cashback is in strong support of this bill. And I'd like to note that Hannah Ellis of BrightSaver who just presented testimony is familiar with the technical aspects of balcony solar and technical questions may be referred to her.

Mahalo.

Thank you. We also have Christine Andrews in support. Anzu?

Aloha. Thank you for the Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the committee. I want to supplement my written testimony as follows. Regarding safety concerns, I just want to also add that if the user physically unplugs the device, the system is required under the UL standard to de energize the plug pins to safe levels within half a second. The UL guidance also mandates PV rapid shutdown which quickly reduces the voltage in the system's output circuits to safe levels during an emergency.

The UL requires fire separation distances so as not to block doorways or escape paths in case of fire. Falling object prevention in the guidance requires mounting systems to pass specific structural security tests. And match manufacturers must also include tethering or secondary retention mechanisms, which are backup attachments that keep the panels in place even if the primary mount is compromised. As to structural load testing, the mounting systems must be, tested to withstand 1.5 times the manufacturer specified design loads in all four directions, up, down, side to side to ensure the system stays secure even in real world conditions like a Kona low storm. As to household wiring overload, the UL recommends, multiple solutions for overcurrent protection on branch circuits, including automatic overload prevention or power control systems.

The new UL guidance also has safety requirements that work in combination with NEC code requirements, ensuring the system remains safe even when connected to older wiring. And then finally, as to concerns regarding grid saturation or overload, a rigorous study by Brooks Engineering simulated widespread adoption of plug in solar, an unrealistic 40% and found even modeling for Honolulu specifically that, there would be zero net export. So plug in solar functions more like energy conservation than energy production from the Spirit's perspective. Thank you so much.

We have, Karen Kimbrell and oh, sorry. Paul Bernstein in support on Zoom.

Aloha, chair, vice chair, members of the committee. I think everybody said it very well, so I'll stop there, but in strong support of this bill. Mahalo.

Thank you. We have Douglas Hagen in support on Zoom, not present, and Greg Musakian in support on Zoom.

Aloha, chair, vice chair, members of the committee. I apologize. My testimony was very late. I think it's the very last one from what I could see. I was preparing for my condominium association's annual meeting, which is this Thursday.

So my name is Greg Naseikian, and I do serve as a director on my Condominium Associations Board. I'm also the president of the Kukua Council, an elder advocacy organization in the state, and I'm the vice president of the Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, another kupuna focused organization in the state. And what I would like to say is, I do have an elect engineering background, so I fully understand the systems. Not fully, but it's not my forte of what I did in my my industry when I worked there, but I do understand these systems and the abilities of these systems and also the drawbacks. So I did work for Siemens at 1.0 the company that branched out from Siemens where I served as a director.

That that company is obviously a German company, and we were talking earlier about this is approved and authorized to be, you know, in apartments and buildings in Germany. I still have contacts with my colleagues, some former colleagues in Germany. I can reach out there to get some best practices if you need further assistance going forward with this bill to get it to the final end point, and I just wanted to share that with the the committee today. So I do support this bill, and I do support allowing it to be in all apartments and homes that do have a situated spot for it because with a home, it's a little different. So you wanna make sure if it's gonna be on a portable location that it's suitable for that.

Mahalo for the the opportunity to speak with you today.

Thank you. We also have testimony and support from Climate Protectors Hawaii, and building decarbonization task force, the Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, my apologies, Green Party of Hawaii, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, League of Women Voters Hawaii, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Climate Future Forum, Citizens Climate Lobby, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and comments from the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. And then 47 individuals in support and one with comments. Is there anyone else who wishes to testify on this on this measure? Seeing none. Are there any questions? Of course.

Okay. Yes. Please. Go ahead. Thank you. I guess for mister, Misakian on Zoom.

Hello?

Hi. The current, version of this bill includes, requirement from approval by, HOA. And I'm just wondering how I mean, for most I mean, you might personally have some expertise in electrical engineering, but for most HOAs, which, you know, maybe once a month, it would seem it would create a a big delay and, you know, sort of bureaucratic obstacle to getting these installed, and the decision would be largely it's hard to understand what the HOA's expertise would be in deciding to approve or deny installation of such a system. So I wasn't sure if your position was supporting that HOA approval or or not.

Well, I can just give you a brief insight from a standpoint of putting this in a condominium association or HOA, building and getting it through the governing documents that are established. I I do realize that statute so 514 b, if it's something within statute that states that you must allow these, then the associations are going to have to, you know, go through that process. To simplify it for everyone, just give you example of my Lanai. My Lanai has a kind of electrical outlet. Not all lanai's have them, but mine does.

And so it it is protected with a cover. It's weatherproof, and not all of them are sometimes, you know, they should be, but there's a code for that. And the only concern I have with that and getting this through is plugging it in and making sure that it's safe. You know, we just had the massive rainstorms and wind windstorms and making sure that if there's no outlet that you're not gonna do that, run a a power cord into the condominium. So there are things that you need to look at with that, and if you have further questions later I can support providing you more information.

But, yeah, it it will be a hurdle, a bit of a hurdle within condominium associations to get everybody on board.

I mean, I guess I'm just wondering if there's a different entity that could look at those issues because like I said, not every association will have that expertise and they could sort of make arbitrary decisions on whether they feel like it's safe or not and without sort of what what a clearly defined standard is about that the location of the house and the extension cord or what this actual safety of it is.

of the house and

I just, so the best place to of the association would be, and I guess beyond kind of concerns about the the way that it looks, I I generally take a position that I don't think associations should stand in the way of preventing, you know, residents or inhabitants from installing things like better windows or more efficient you know, stand in the way of energy efficiency measures, like a clothesline law, essentially. So, I mean, I just have a concern that it will that power could be easily abused by people who didn't understand these systems and were just sort of unfriendly to them.

Correct. It will be abused. I can I can tell you for sure it will be abused because I know we have abuse at my condo association? But to get around the abuse, if you put the right wording in the in the bill and make it, you know, codify it so that it's clear to the associations that they have a duty to allow something like this if it's for the environment in the state. Don't forget what our state's goal is by, I think, it's 2040, which I don't think we're gonna attain, but this would help to get a little bit of a nudge to help attain the the goal of getting off of, you know, petroleum based electricity and and other other things that aren't environmentally friendly.

And So I, saving people money more importantly. But okay. Thank you. Yeah. Appreciate it.

Yeah.

You're welcome. Aloha.

Any other questions? Seeing none, we're gonna move on to the next measure, SB 2005 SD1 relating to conservation banking. First to testify, we have DLNR in support in person.

Hello, the Chair of Vice Chair and Members of the Committee. I'm Ashley Tzadiki on behalf of the Department of Plan and Natural Resources, and we stand on our testimony in support of this measure.

Thank you. We also have testimony with comments from Kauai Island Utility cooperate cooperative, Earthjustice and support, Toweri Power LLC in support, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition in support, Nature Conservancy in support, Sierra Club of Hawaii in support, and two individuals, one with comments and one in support. Is there anyone else who wishes to testify on this measure? Seeing none. Members, any questions?

Seeing none, moving on to SB 3252 relating to climate planning. First to testify, we have Department of Land and Natural Resources, Leah Laramie, climate change coordinator. Any person in your support?

Hello, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. Leah Laramie with the Department of Land and Natural Resources district. We stand on our testimony, supporting the intent with comments and available for any questions. Mahalo.

Thank you. Joseph, testimony with comments from the state of Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in support from Sierra Club of Hawaii and three individuals in support. Is there anyone else wishing to testify in this measure? Seeing none. Members, are there any questions? Seeing none, moving on to SB 2096 relating to wastewater management. First, we have Department of Land and Natural Resources, in support in person.

Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. Charlie Taylor on behalf of DLNR's Division of Aquatic Resources. We stand in support and are available for any questions.

Thank you. Department of Health, with comments on Zoom.

Hi. Good morning. Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. Christopher Han quoted here on behalf of the Department of Health, Hawaii Department stands on its written testimony, providing comments. I'm available for any questions if you have them.

Thank you.

Thank you. Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, in support on Zoom.

Thank you very much. Aloha, Chair Loewen, Vice Chair Perruso, and members of the committee. My name is Melody Adduha testifying on behalf of the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii in strong support of SB 2096 SD 2 with amendments. SB 2096 strengthens Hawaii's wastewater management framework by requiring PFAS testing at wastewater treatment facilities that land apply sewage, sludge, and residential materials. Excuse me.

PFAS and biosolids can migrate into soil, groundwater, crops, and nearshore waters, creating long term contamination pathways that are difficult and costly to reverse. The bill requires PFAS testing, adds a statutory definition of PFAS, directs the Department of Health to adopt rules for monitoring and sampling, and prohibits land application when PFAS is detected on high risk lands. These protections are essential for safeguarding public health and agriculture. The environmental caucus respectfully requests three amendments to ensure the bill is complete and enforceable. Number one, require public access to PFAS testing results so communities and farmers can make informed decisions.

Number two, establish minimum analytical standards to ensure testing is sensitive, consistent, and scientifically valid. And number three, ensure DOH rulemaking includes thresholds, response actions, and disposal requirements for PFAS contaminated sludge to prevent diversion to vulnerable lands. These amendments strengthen transparency, prevent contamination, and ensure that Hawaii's PFAS protections are comprehensive and enforceable.

Thank you. I also have testimony with comments from the American Chemistry Council and five individuals in support. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Seeing none, Members, are there any questions? Seeing none, we're moving on to SB 2095 leading to environmental protection. So this establishes a PPAS working group within Department of Health. First to testify, we have the Department of Agriculture and Bio Biosecurity in support in person.

Hello, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. Riley Hill from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. We stand on our written testimony in support. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, we have Department of Health with comments on Zoom.

Good morning, Chair Lowen and Members of the Committee. My name is Grace Simmons speaking on behalf of the Department of Health. We provided comments, and we understand the need to have a strategic plan for PFAS, to address PFAS in our environment. A working group is an essential step towards this. However, we are requesting funds in order to establish the working group to collect data, draft, and submit the annual reports to the legislature. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

Thank you. I also have Board of Water Supply. In support, in person.

Morning, chair, vice chair, and members of the committee. My name is Kathy Mitchell with the Board of Water Supply. We strongly support Senate Bill 2095 SD one as it includes the Board of Water Supply to be on the working group and available for questions. Thank you.

Thank you. Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii in support on Zoom.

Aloha, Chair Lowen and Vice Chair Perruso and members of the committee. My name is Melody Aduha testifying on behalf of the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party for Hawaii in strong support of SB 2095 SD 1. SB 2095 establishes a PFAS working group within the Department of Health to coordinate Hawaii's statewide response to PFAS contamination. PFAS impacts drinking water, soils, ecosystems, agriculture, and public health, and no single agency can address these risks alone. A coordinated science based structure is essential.

The working group's responsibilities include assessing DOH's ongoing PFAS work, identifying additional testing locations, studying sources of PFAS contamination, reviewing best practices from other jurisdictions, evaluating environmental and public health risks, identifying regulatory gaps, and recommending strategies for testing, monitoring, remediation, and prevention. These duties form the backbone of a modern statewide PFAS strategy. The Environmental Caucus strongly supports SB 2095 because it provides the structure, expertise, and coordination necessary for Hawaii to respond effectively to PFAS threats. Establishing a PFAS working group is a critical first step towards comprehensive statewide protection.

Members, any other questions? Seeing none. Moving on to SB 2999, relating to a clean fuel standard. First to testify is Climate Change Mitigation Adaptation Commission, Leah Laramee, in person in support. Nice green.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Committee. Leah Laramee, Climate Change Mitigation Adaptation Commission. We stand on our testimony in support. Available for questions. Mahalo.

Thank you. Pump Cleaner Fuels Hawaii in support in person.

Chair, Vice Chair, and Members. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. We did submit written comments, and we'll stand on those. But I just wanna add a few additional points here as well that have come up over the last couple of weeks. First, on the economics of a clean fuel standard, these programs are not theoretical. They're in place along the West Coast, and New Mexico just finished its rulemaking.

And these programs have driven billions of dollars of private investment into the transportation infrastructure, electrification, and clean fuels. This is really the first program that actually decouples economic growth from emissions. As we're seeing in real time, fuel prices are driven far more by geopolitics and global oil markets than by clean fuel standards or by climate policy in general.

As required by the Washington state legislation, they study the price impact of the clean fuel standard, and they have found that it is responsible for less than one cent of increase in gasoline and diesel prices. And I wanna note that this is significantly less than their initial modeling projected prior to program implementation. Additionally, I want to address claims that renewable fuels are not actually clean.

A clean fuel standard is technology neutral. So if a fuel is not actually clean, it will not benefit from this program. It relies on scientific proof, and fuels must demonstrate their ability to lower life cycle carbon intensity. That evaluation uses the Greek model, which was developed by the Argonne National Laboratory, and it is one of the most widely used tools for assessing transportation fuel emissions.

It does this based on actual emissions and not marketing claims or labels. Importantly, I wanna note that this policy does not replace or limit electrification. In fact, it expedites it. Electrification is absolutely critical for transportation decarbonization, and this program drives critical private investment to make that possible.

Finally, Hawaii, one of the, remains one of the most petroleum dependent states in the nation. A clean fuel standard is going to help diversify the fuel supply and reduce exposure to global oil price volatility. It is a legitimate and substantive energy security and independence measure, all while accelerating emissions reductions.

I wanna end by saying that there is no silver bullet to addressing transportation emissions or funding it. A clean fuel standard is practical, it's market driven, and it's going to reduce emissions while protecting consumers, strengthening energy security, and driving innovation. Thank you.

Thank you. Neste in support in person.

Hi. Allicia Thompson on behalf of Neste. We stand on our written comments in support. Thank you.

Thank you. Par Hawaii with comments in person. Not present. Oh, sorry. Spoke too soon.

Sorry about that. Hello, Chair, Vice Chairs, Members of the Committee. Par Hawaii stands on our written testimony with comments. If you have any questions, I'll be here for questions. Thank you.

Thank you. Island Energy Services with comments in person. Not present. Energy Justice Network in opposition on Zoom.

Good morning, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. My name is Mike Ewall. Left out by the light here. Sorry. I serve as the Executive Director of Energy Justice Network speaking up for our members and member groups in Hawaii. We urge you to reject this bill. As it turns out, many of the burnable fuels are actually worse for the climate than the fossil fuels they replace.

And even where they may be less bad, it is still a bad idea for multiple reasons. They could be harmful in terms of land and water use, toxicity, competition with food, risk from genetic modification, and more. Claims that dirty fuels won't be eligible are false.

They are based on reliance on the Greek model, which you just heard about, which only looks at climate impacts, and climate scientists have documented biases in this model that cause it to overlook major climate impacts from indirect land use change.

My comments on the HDOT plan attached to my testimony include footnotes referencing this research. Also, these fuels are extra expensive because state law and the HDOT plan require zero emissions from transportation by 2045. Burnable fuels are not zero emissions, so the plan is to do two major transitions in under two decades.

One from fossil fuels to biofuels and waste based fuels, and then another to electric fuels that have the potential to be truly free of greenhouse gases. So in order to not go over my time, I'll stop here, but there are four specific amendments that we're asking for. I'll spell that out in the testimony on the next bill. Mahalo.

Thank you. Simonpietri Enterprises LLC in support on Zoom.

Aloha. Good morning, Chair, Vice Chair, and all Committee Members. My name is Naomi Kukac here on behalf of Simonpietri Enterprises. We stand in support of this bill, and we'll stand on our testimony. Thank you.

Thank you. Paul Bernstein in opposition on Zoom.

Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. I definitely sympathize with DOT's desire to reduce emissions from the transportation sector and trying to find a policy that will do so. The real question I think before you is, who bears the burden, who bears the cost of this?

Unlike carbon cash back, where money would go back to households and therefore make many of them financially better off, there is no money collected in this program. The price of transportation fuels will simply rise and creating a burden for all households and businesses.

So I would suggest that this is the wrong way to go about trying to decarbonize transportation fuels and that carbon pricing with revenues returned back to households is a much better and much more equitable way to proceed. Mahalo.

Thank you. Ted Metrose in opposition in person.

Hello. I'm Ted Metrose, independent. I'm in opposition to this bill. Generally, it's a good concept, I believe. However, it needs some amendments. You've heard repeatedly in these hearings from the airlines that inter island fuel only takes up 10% of the marketplace. However, HDOT has says it's 35%.

This bill gives an exemption for inter island air. It should be subject. This is the one area where the state actually has legal authority to provide regulations and a structure such as a low carbon fuel standard that could be applicable to airlines and could serve as a real catalyst.

It may take steps towards first SAF and then electrification, but it's a good pathway. But this is giving a free pass to the airlines in hopes that it will trigger a voluntary participation. The other transportation sectors are mandated. Why are we giving this most critical sector a free ride on it? Plus, if we give it on a voluntary basis, the advocates even say it's not gonna be good enough.

You're going to need additional public subsidies. So mandate what you can mandate and then you have to excuse. You can't do it voluntarily. An inducement through a state program is not legal. So DOT is hoping that this program extends to interstate travel, but it's not supposed to.

Lastly, these carbon intensity standards are way premature. It's good to have them. They will be necessary, but we haven't even evaluated a comparison of alternatives, setting up a whole new set of standards that could be potentially legally binding depending on interpretation sets us up for additional lawsuits.

This bill, if it goes through and you make the amendments that I suggested in a comprehensive package, can address the Navahine Settlement straight on. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. We also have testimony in support from Life of the Land, Imua Alliance... Oh, Aloha. You didn't sign up to testify in person, so...

My apologies for that. I thought I did, but, you know, those buttons you have to push. Aloha, Committee. Henry Curtis, Life of the Land. We are in support of this bill. We have been in 65 PUC proceedings, including about 10 in bioenergy, and we've killed some bad bioenergy projects.

We've won the two Hawaii Supreme Court decisions requiring life cycle greenhouse gas emissions analysis at the PUC. We clearly have the expertise on this issue. Biofuels represent a very, very broad selection from very bad to very good. We don't like the word clean because, obviously, fuels are not clean, but they're cleaner.

But the reason we support this is because we have not seen any credible evidence by any party that there is an alternative. We have heard speculation. Oh, I say this. I say that. I'm not backing it up with my money. But we have not seen any credible documentation or analysis that there is an alternative. Mahalo.

Thank you. Also have Imua Alliance in support, Green Party of Hawaii in opposition, SGS Beta in support, Clean Energy in support, Rivian in support, Tesla in support, and one individual in support, 10 individuals in opposition, and one with comments. Is there anyone else who wishes to testify on this measure?

Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. Tammy Lee, Deputy Director for the Department of Transportation. For the record, we support this measure. As part of our energy security plan, we're developing a feasibility study for the clean fuel standard. For the DOT, we're implementers. I mean, it's like we do something or we do nothing. Lots of people hating on us, but that's just who we are. I'm here for any questions.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to testify in this measure? Seeing none. Are there any questions, Members? Rep Kusch.

Thank you. Mr. Curtis. I appreciate your theme because I see this throughout a lot of these energy discussions is this desire for perfection, pure electrification, but no pathway to get there. And I'm a big fan of seeing progress, incremental progress.

And I think this addresses some of those incremental progress pieces that the hard to electrify components of our transportation, whether it's SAF or on road through renewable fuels. Do you, I guess, do you agree with that statement? And do you...

I agree that we, that SAF and renewable fuels appear right now to be the only viable path forward. I take issue on the statement that some have made that we have a zero policy in 2045. We have a net zero, which allows some to be above and some to be below and to average zero, which is a strange way of looking at it, but it's the way it is.

Okay. Thank you.

So we have Par Hawaii with comments in person.

Hello, chair Lowen, vice chair Perruso, and members of the committee. Mark Inouye from Par Hawaii. Thank you for hearing this measure. We stand on our written comments, and noted by the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition as well, we we do support this, but we wanna make sure that, we noted in our testimony that we prefer HB 1695 HD2, as it uplifts the renewable fuels production, credit that is already in statute. And we feel that it's gonna provide a lot more meaningful adoption of renewable fuels for our state.

And this aligns with our investment with our renewable fuels facility. It aligns with also the conversations and discussions we're having with our customers that are utility, ground transportation, air, and also marine. And this is really about reducing a lot of the emissions, but also reaching their sustainability goals as well. And, you know, we appreciate to be part of that process. And just finally, we do support the amendments that were provided by the coalition.

Mahalo for allowing us to testify. If you have any questions, I'll be here.

Thank you. Island Energy Services with comments in person. Not present. Energy Justice Network in opposition on Zoom.

Thank you.

Hey. Good morning again. Chair, vice chair, members of the committee. Mike Ewall with Energy Justice Network. We're recommending four specific amendments to this and the other biofuels bill.

First is to remove the eligibility of fuels that are produced from trash and construction and demolition waste unless it could be demonstrated that these feedstocks have no greater concentration of Halogens or toxic metals like arsenic than conventional fossil fuels or biofuels that they would replace. In fact, the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute has documented that construction and demolition waste is 200 times as much arsenic as clean wool. Second, senator DeCoite in a hearing on a related bill last year brought up a testifier from the Department of Agriculture who pointed out that there is not land or water available to grow any meaningful amount of biofuel within the state. It would nearly all be imported. We recommend that you limit the bills to supporting only in state production after demonstrating that land and water resources used are unable to be used for in state food production.

Third, we ask that you limit the scope to what is required in state law. Note that HRS section 225 P8 and the Navahine settlement mandate zero, not net zero, but zero emissions by 2045 of greenhouse gases from ground transportation and sea and air interisland transportation, not fuel for intercontinental flights, which is also subject to federal preemption and commerce clause litigation. And fourth, put any subsidies and tax credits toward electrification like sea gliders for interisland travel instead of into burnable fuels to avoid or prohibitively expensive double transition by 2045. Mahalo.

Thank you. We have, Simone Pietree Enterprises in support on Zoom.

Apologies. I don't know why my camera isn't working right now, but aloha chair, vice chair, and committee members. My name is Naomi Kukak here on behalf of Simone Pietree Enterprises and Aloha Carbon. We are in support of this bill, and we've offered some comments for consideration. One item would be to have construction and demolition debris included in the list of eligible feedstocks.

Hawaii Gas' IRP actually identified construction and demolition waste as the largest viable feedstock readily available on island to produce fuel at scale. And while there have been concerns previously raised about the various contaminants that are in CND debris that keep it from being recycled currently, Our company has actually been working to develop the technology to safely do so for the better part of six years, and we actually have a recognized patent for the process. By opening up the feedstock to include, CND debris, this measure would stimulate greater environmental impact through waste reduction and related circular economy benefits. We are available to contact should anyone have any questions regarding our testimony and the work we're doing. And with that, we thank you for your time and the opportunity to testify this morning.

Thank you. I have Pacific Biodiesel in support in person.

Aloha. Hi, chair, vice chair, and a member of the committee. Pacific Biodiesel stands in support and on our written testimony. Did just wanna highlight a couple of things, as well. Mainly that with the recent global events and the impacts on the oil industry, worldwide, we're seeing the impacts of that, here in the state.

We've seen about a $2 per gallon increase in the commercial price of diesel in the last two weeks. So we feel that renewable locally produced renewable fuels are really important for our state, especially as we look long term at the stability of of energy here. We do believe that this production tax credit will support continued expansion for biodiesel production in our state as well as local feedstocks that we can use in our production. So we also would support additional funding for locally sourced feedstock and, increasing the rate per BTU would be helpful as well. We're available for any questions.

Yeah. Thanks.

Thank you. Last to testify, we have, Ted Metros in support in person.

Hello. Ted Metros, independent, generally in support of this bill as well. I think there are some amendments that would be prudent. This bill is far superior to that of HB 1695 which actually proposes tax credits on the order that are eight times higher than proposed in this bill. So it's a much bigger bill and the association from, the Renewable Fuels Coalition that we can make all of the cost for renewable fuels the same as if there was not the no other issue through tax credits means taxpayers are paying for that.

So that is not a solution. That's why the prior solution of the Clean Fuel Standard is actually potentially viable. The amendments that I would suggest for this are, there needs to be specification on where the feedstocks are coming from. The rule does not provide it. The report does not provide it.

Everybody says it's coming from Hawaii. Why isn't it being reported? This bill is good in the sense that it does specify and mandate that these tax credits be spent in Hawaii so that there's benefits actually captured here. Otherwise, these credits could go to foreign countries and Par Hawaii already has a business partnership with two Japanese companies. They could have claimed credits if it were not for the amendments that were posed here.

The last amendment that I would make is that if there is any application of the tax credits that that fuel not only be produced and sold in Hawaii, but it'd be used on interisland transportation or transportation on land. This could allow it to be utilized in interstate and international flights as well. So those are appropriate amendments and supplements and consistent with the general mindset that's been put forth with this bill keeping it all in Hawaii. Thank you.

Thank you so much. We have two individuals in support to oh, would you like to join?

Again, pushed the wrong button. Sorry.

Okay. No problem.

Hello chair, vice chair, and committee members. We're generally in support of the bill and wanna raise two issues. First, dealing with imports. About ten years ago, PECO proposed importing waste oil from The US continent that was approved and they tested it in their power plants. So just because something is imported does not mean it's bad.

On the other hand, there was also a proposal to import rainforest palm oil from Indonesia Malaysia area, and that was bad. So we got that one killed. But like domestic, imports can be good or they can be bad, and they have to be judged individually. The second is there's been a lot of talk about whether we should have tax credits to support this emerging industry. Solar and wind both received tax credits in order to bring them on.

There is no reason that we should not have tax credits for biofuels also. Mahalo.

Thank you. We have office of information practices submitting testimony with comments. Hawaii Farm Bureau in support, Hawaii Transportation Association in support, Life of the Land in support, Green Party of Hawaii in opposition, Hawaii Gas in support, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines in support, two individuals in support, seven in opposition, and one with comments. Is there anyone else wishing to submit testimony on this measure? Seeing none, members are there any questions?

Sure.

Sure. I don't.

Mister Curtis, So would you then suggest, like, a a standard based on life cycle emission analysis? That would apply to

We would support life cycle analysis on a variety of impacts. Greenhouse gases, but also other impacts, land use, other things like that. Yes. The tax credit should be given to those who are the greenest of the operations.

Okay. Thank you. Okay.

So doing two brief sentences. Are you guys good to go straight to DM? Okay. Let's just go.

Okay. We're gonna go straight into decision making.

Okay. We'll quick decision making, and then we have this followed by a joint hearing. So first up, we have House Bill 3018, relating to a program to characterize potential of underground energy resources statewide. So for this, we're just going to re-defect the date to the year 3000 and move this forward for further consideration. Members, any discussion? Seeing none. Vice Chair.

On SB 3081, SD 1. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. [Roll Call] Chair, your recommendation has been adopted.

Thank you. SB 2902 relating to renewable energy. This is the balcony solar bill from the Senate. A few amendments here, so we're going to make some technical amendments to make sure the language in the preamble matches what the fellow is doing. We will adopt the PUC suggested amendments from their testimony.

We will clarify that this allows renters as well as owners to install these systems. And then I'm going to remove the language for now requiring the homeowners association approval because I feel like that will be an obstacle that will that will be a a huge deterrent if anyone's ever tried to navigate their HOA's processes. And we'll just note in the committee report that there does need to be, you know, some time to look at what might be lost in removing that and what it could appropriately be replaced with. And then we will re defect the date to the year 3000 and move this forward. Members, any discussion?

On SB 2902 SD2, chair's recommendation is passed with amendments chair and vice chair, voting aye, noting the oh, noting the presence of all members. Are there any, reservations or no votes? Seeing none, chair recommendation has been adopted.

Seeing none, vice chair?

And then on SB 2005 relating to conservation banking, we will make a small technical amendment just to also reference proposed or candidate species on page six line 21 and then redefect the date to the year 3000 moving forward. Members, any discussion? Seeing none, vice chair.

On SB 2005 SD1, chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and vice chair voting aye. Are there any no's or reservations? Seeing none, chair recommendation has been adopted.

SB 3252 relating to climate planning. We will make some technical amendments for clarity, consistency, and style, and redefect the date to the year 3000 and move this forward. Members, any discussion? If none, vice chair.

On SB 3252, SD 2. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Are there any noes or reservations? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation has been adopted.

Thank you. SB 2096, relating to wastewater management. We will adopt Department of Health suggested amendments from testimony and re-defect the date to the year 3000 and move this forward. Members, any discussion? Seeing none. Vice Chair.

On SB 2096, SD 2. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Are there any noes or reservations? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation has been adopted.

Thank you. And Senate Bill 2095 relating to environmental protection. This is the PFA's working group. Just some technical amendments for clarity, consistency, and style, and we will redefine the date to the year 3000 and move this forward. Members, any discussion? Seeing none, vice chair.

On SB 2095 SD1, chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and vice chair voting aye. Are there any noes or reservations? Seeing none, chair recommendation has been adopted.

Thank you. SB 2046 relating to underground storage tanks. So we will re defect the date on this and move it forward and just put a note in the committee report for the Judiciary Committee to look at this request to add back some of the earlier language regarding the rebuttable presumption, but we'll leave it to the expertise of the Judiciary Committee to look at that language. Members, any discussion? If none, vice chair.

On SB 2046 SD2, chair's recommendation is passed with amendments. Chair and vice chair voting aye. Are there any no's or reservations? Seeing none, chair your recommendation has been adopted.

Thank you. SB 2999 relating to a clean fuel standard. On this, we will re defect the date to the year 3000 and move this forward. Members, any discussion? Seeing none, vice chair.

On SB 2999 SD1, chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and vice chair voting aye. Are there any no's or reservations? Reservations. Oh, reservations for Rep. Matsumoto. Chair recommendation has been adopted.

Thank you. And then on SB 2376 this is the renewable fuel production tax credit. I just want a little more time to go through all the, discussion and amendments that were suggested in testimony. So we will defer decision making on this until Thursday, March 19 at the end of the 09:40AM agenda here in Room 325. And that's last bill.

So with that, we are adjourned. Alright. We are back. Convening the joint committees on energy and environmental protection and human services and homelessness. It is Tuesday, March 17. It's ten, this is the 10:30am agenda. We are in Room 325. There's one bill on the agenda today, Senate bill 3103 relating to energy assistance. This establishes, the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within DHS to assist qualifying households in paying their energy bills. And first up to testify, we have a consumer advocate.

Morning, Chairs, Vice Chairs, Members of the Committees. My name is Michael Angelo, Executive Director of Division of Consumer Advocacy. We stand in strong support of this bill.

Thank you. And PUC.

Good morning, Chairs, Vice Chairs, Members of the Committees. My name is Ashley Norman on behalf of the Public Utilities Commission. We stand in support for this measure, and I'm available for any questions. Mahalo.

Thank you. And Department of Human Services on Zoom.

Aloha and good morning. Department stands on our submitted testimony, and I'm available for any questions.

Thank you. And then we have Catholic Charities Hawaii.

Good morning. I'm Betty Lou Larson with Catholic Charities Hawaii. We strongly support this bill because many of the clients we work with, not just seniors or families coming out of homelessness, are facing this crisis. But our ALICE population that we're helping with programs as they face the high cost of living.

We see the stress that they're under as the shutoffs continue and rise. In 1920, in 2023, these rose to 12,000 a year, which is more than double during COVID, which you'd think would be the highest point. But it really is growing and we really appreciate your leadership and looking at this issue and passing this bill. Thank you very much.

Thank you. And then Hawaiian Electric.

Good morning, Chairs, Vice Chair, and Members of the Committee. Shannon Alivado on behalf of Hawaiian Electric. We stand in support of this bill. Thank you very much for hearing me.

Thank you. And then we also had testimony submitted in support from the Hawaiian Green Infrastructure Authority, City and County of Honolulu, Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Hawaii Children Action, Hawaii Children's Action Network.

Imua Alliance, KIUC, Aloha United Way, and then two individuals also in support. Was there anyone else here to testify on this measure in person or on Zoom? Seeing none. Members, any questions? Alright. Seeing none. Good to vote? Okay.

We will go straight to decision making. First up for Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. The recommendation is just to re-defect the date to the year 3000 and move this forward. Members, any discussion? Seeing none. Vice Chair.

On SB 3103, SD 2. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. [Roll Call] Chair, your recommendation has been adopted.

Thank you very much. On behalf of the Committee on Human Services and Homelessness, I'm pleased to make the same recommendation. Vice Chair, please, for the vote.

Voting on SB 3103, SD 2. Chair's recommendation to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. [Roll Call] Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Alright. And we are adjourned.