Hawaii Senate Bill SR143

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23
• Passed: 4/5/23

Caption

Requesting The Public Utilities Commission To Revise Current Rate Structures And Provide Additional Benefits For Those Communities That Host Renewable Energy Projects.

Impact

If enacted, SR143 could significantly influence the economic dynamics within local communities hosting renewable energy projects. By encouraging the PUC to adjust rate structures, the resolution aims to ensure that residents receive fair compensation for hosting these projects. This may involve revising how energy rates are calculated, potentially leading to lower costs for residents or additional financial benefits that recognize the impacts of hosting renewable energy infrastructures. Such changes would be pivotal in fostering community support for ongoing and future renewable energy developments.

Summary

Senate Resolution 143, introduced in the thirty-second legislature of Hawaii, requests the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to revise its current rate structures and to provide additional benefits for communities that host large-scale renewable energy projects. The resolution is a response to the increasing development of renewable energy projects across Hawaii, which both creates new job opportunities and presents challenges for the communities involved, including possible disruptions to their daily lives due to the presence of such projects. This resolution aims to balance out the advantages and disadvantages faced by these communities.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SR143 appears to be largely supportive, particularly among those advocating for equitable treatment of communities adversely affected by large-scale energy projects. Proponents of the resolution argue that providing direct benefits would encourage communities to accept and even promote the development of renewable energy projects, aligning with the state’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2045. Conversely, there may be concerns regarding the feasibility of implementing such changes and the potential burden it could place on the PUC’s regulatory capabilities.

Contention

Notable points of contention related to SR143 involve the adequacy of current compensation models for communities affected by renewable energy projects. Residents often feel that the flat rates charged by energy providers do not reflect their proximity to energy-generating facilities and the associated disruptions they may face. As such, the resolution seeks to address these inequalities and stimulate greater community buy-in towards renewable energy initiatives, though challenges remain in ensuring that the proposed benefits are both viable and effective in practice.