HB2141 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Community-based Renewable Energy Program to expand renewable energy access to residents and businesses unable to participate in on-site generation due to location, building type, or other barriers.

• Allows retail utility customers to acquire interests in community-based renewable energy facilities and receive bill credits on their electricity accounts for energy generated by those facilities.

• Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish community-based renewable energy tariffs with either time-of-use rate structures reflecting energy value and demand, or retail rate structures with fixed monthly charges and ancillary service credits.

• Excludes persons developing, producing, or selling interests in community-based renewable energy facilities from the definition of "public utility," preventing such facilities from being regulated as utilities.

• Directs the Public Utilities Commission to submit a report to the legislature by 20 days prior to the 2015 regular session exploring implementation options, procedures, and recommendations for the program.