State Lawmakers to Host Energy Efficiency Briefing

State seal. Photo by Wendy Osher.

State lawmakers will hold an informational briefing next week to hear from the Hawaiʻi Energy program about their progress on energy efficiency measures in the state to achieve the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard of 4,300 gigawatt hours by 2030.

The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection and the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development and Tourism meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at the State Capitol, room 325.

Hawaiʻi Energy is the program under contract with the Public Utilities Commission to promote and incentivize energy efficiency measures in all counties except for Kauaʻi. They are funded by ratepayers through a fee on electric utility bills – the public benefits fee. Their services include consumer education and technical assistance, administering rebate programs, and working with residents, businesses and state agencies to reduce energy use.

The Hawaiʻi Energy director and staff will update legislators on their programs and services, what progress has been made since the implementation of the public benefits fee to increase efficiency in the state, what the next steps are for energy efficiency, and how efficiency can help Hawaiʻi to meet its clean energy goals.

No public testimony will be accepted.

The hearing will be televised live on ‘Ōlelo channel 53 and will be aired via tape delay on the neighbor islands public television stations. The hearing can also be watched live online at ‘Ōlelo or on the House webcast page.