HI SB2656

Public Utilities Commission must commence a proceeding by July 1, 2014, to address technical, policy, and economic issues related to modernizing Hawaii's electricity grid.

Proceeding must consider development of renewable energy portfolios, customer energy management options, non-discriminatory distributed generation grid access, and fair compensation for grid services.

Public Utilities Commission shall submit findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2016 regular session.

Division of Consumer Advocacy shall represent consumer interests during the proceeding and is exempt from competitive procurement requirements for professional services.

Appropriates funds from the Public Utilities Commission special fund to both the Commission and Division of Consumer Advocacy for fiscal year 2014-2015 to conduct the proceeding and draft the report.